\nAfter withdrawing his bail plea from the Delhi High Court Friday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backed its controversial candidate Varun Gandhi, in the dock for his reported hate speeches, and indicated he could go ahead and court arrest.
\n\u201cThere is definitely an element of political vendetta against Varun Gandhi. Varun Gandhi has the option of either seeking extension of his bail or courting arrest,\u201d BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj told IANS. \u201cThe party will support him in whatever he chooses to do within the framework of law,\u201d Punj said.
\nThe BJP show of support was indicative that the party wants to make him a mascot and rallying point for Hindutva in a campaign that was otherwise seen to be flagging in the absence of any emotional issues to stir up its supporters, particularly in a state like Uttar Pradesh.
\nBut even though the 29-year-old Varun Gandhi, grandson of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, received full support from the party leadership, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Sharad Yadav, the party\u2019s ally, spoke out against his communally charged speeches and asserted the Election Commission must ensure stern action.
\n\u201cThe Election Commission should initiate tough action against anyone who makes such remarks,\u201d said Sharad Yadav after Varun Gandhi withdrew his bail application in a reported bid to court arrest. Asked whether Varun Gandhi\u2019s statements would have any impact on the JD-U\u2019s electoral prospects, the convenor of the BJP-led NDA said: \u201cWe are not going to be affected by it. Nobody can point a finger at our secularism.\u201d\t He also said his party was part of the NDA; \u201cwe are together and there is no change in this position.\u201d
\nJust a couple of days earlier, colleague Nitish Kumar had reacted similarly to Varun Gandhi\u2019s utterances, saying: \u201cI feel he (Varun) cannot escape legal action.\u201dParty insiders said Varun Gandhi is expected to court arrest in Pilibhit Saturday and maintain that he fought for the swabhiman (self esteem) of Hindus.
\nVarun Gandhi courted controversy after his reported speeches, which he claims were doctored, early this month during election rallies in the Pilibhit constituency in Uttar Pradesh, from where he is contesting.
\nThe Election Commission reprimanded him while the police lodged a criminal case against him for the incendiary remarks.
\nA case against Varun Gandhi was lodged in Pilibhit, the Uttar Pradesh constituency from which he is contesting in the April-May Lok Sabha poll. Varun Gandhi has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of People Act for \u201cpromoting enmity\u201d and acts \u201cprejudicial to maintenance of harmony\u201d by police in Pilibhit.
\nMeanwhile, the BJP has planned a grand road show Saturday morning when Varun Gandhi goes to Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh to court arrest for allegedly making hate speeches, party sources said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"