The Bharatiya Janata Party's central leadership is in no mood to accept Rahul Mahajan formally into the party until he is acquitted in the drug case.
The son of slain BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan has announced plans to address a Yuva Morcha meeting in Mumbai as part of the party's campaign for the execution of Parliament attack convict Mohammed Afzal.
His move triggered speculation that the BJP could be considering taking him into the party fold formally.
"There is no question of taking him into the party until he is acquitted in the drug case," a party source said.
Rahul is facing trial over drug charges against him.
"There can be a soft corner for children of our late leaders. But then there can be no compromise with party principles. Rahul's entry to the BJP can be considered only after he is acquitted in the case," the source said.
A senior BJP leader, who requested not to be named, said he believed political experience and age should be the key criteria for party positions.
"Whether it is Varun Gandhi or Rahul Mahajan, both of them are too young to be given some position," he said.