New Delhi: It seems to be the season of makeovers in the BJP. Varun Gandhi is now following the example of the other Hindutva icon, Narendra Modi, in trying to repackage himself as a new-age statesman for wider consumption.

Modi, of course, is playing for higher stakes with his fast and address to the nation at Ahmedabad. His younger colleague is not lacking in ambition, but hasn't reached the stage of aspiring for the Prime Minister's job, at least not yet.

The BJP's Varun has set his eyes on the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, where he wants to play a pivotal role. The idea is to emerge on the national stage as a widely accepted leader through the timetested heartland of UP.

For the purpose, Varun has to rid himself of the natural branding of his politics after the obnoxious spiel he delivered against Muslims during the 2009 elections. Though he has officially claimed he never uttered the "If you raise your hand on any Hindu, I swear by the Gita that I will cut off that hand" speech, he clearly realises it is not going to take him far.