Pilibhit/New Delhi: BJP Lok Sabha candidate Varun Gandhi on Tuesday came under attack from within the party and its allies for his alleged inflammatory remarks with communal overtones even as he claimed that the CD containing his speech had been tampered with.
Terming the comments as "shocking", BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain demanded an unconditional apology from him while the party asked all its poll nominees to "practice caution" in their speech.
BJP's ally and JD (U) leader Shivanand Tiwari said that the Election Commission should take cognisance of Gandhi's speech and that there should be a "legitimate" inquiry.
Responding to a question, the 29-year-old BJP candidate, who is a scion of the estranged Gandhi family, said the CD has been tampered with. "I know it has been (tampered with)", he told reporters.
"All I want to say is that tomorrow I will be addressing a press conference in Delhi and I will be clarifying my stand on every single issue....I will be addressing from a proper party forum," Gandhi said.
At a recent election meeting in Pilibhit from where he is being fielded, he had said "this is not not a 'Hand' (Congress symbol), it is the power of the 'Lotus' (BJP symbol). It will cut the head of ....... Jai Shri Ram."
Continuing in the same vein, the grandson of Indira Gandhi told another meeting, "If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand."
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After Gandhi's snubbing by party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Hussain said his "comments are shocking and I would demand an unconditional apology from him for hurting the sentiments of a community. I would also raise the issue in the party forum."
Ahead of a key CEC meet, he said, "Gandhi's comments do reflect the tradition of the party." Hussain is the convenor of the party's minority front.
Meanwhile, BJP advised all its nominees for the polls to "practice caution" in their speeches. "We have advised all our candidates to practice caution and restrain in their speeches," party spokesperson Siddarth Nath Singh told PTI.
Asked if his party would initiate any action against its candidate from Pilibhit for his alleged inflammatory speech, he said, "that is to be seen but we do not subscribe to such views and this is sure."
Tiwari of JD (U) said, "Our Constitution does not permit us speak like this. I feel there should be a legitimate inquiry. Government should take cognisance, and the Election Commission should also take cognisance. There should be strict
inquiry on this".
Replying to a question, senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said it is still not clear as to "what he said, what he didn't....what you heard."
Terming Gandhi's comments as condemnable, Congress spokesman Abhishekh Singhvi said, "He is associated with a party which has this (anti-minority) ideology and culture".
On a complaint from the Congress party, Gandhi was slapped with a notice by the Election Commission charging him with violation of the model code of conduct for elections for his alleged communal remarks.
In his reply submitted to the District Magistrate M P Agarwal, the BJP candidate had denied the charge.
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