EC notice to Varun Gandhi on inflammatory remarks

Varun Gandhi, a member of the Gandhi-Nehru family and a BJP candidate in the coming Lok Sabha elections, has stirred a major controversy by making inflammatory remarks against members of a community over which the Election Commission has slapped a notice seeking his explanation.

"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," Gandhi, son of the late Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka, said from the top of his voice addressing an election meeting in Pilibhit from where he is being fielded.

Continuing in the same vein, he 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."

Congress, headed by Varun's aunt Sonia Gandhi, was quick to condemn the remarks as "unethical and against law".

"It is condemnable.... He (Varun) is associated with a party which has this ideology (anti-minority) and culture," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.

On a complaint from the Congress party, Varun was slapped with a notice by the Election Commission charging him with violation of the model code of conduct for elections by his alleged making communal remarks during a rally held on March 6 in Pilibhit.

"Notices have been issued to BJP candidate from Pilibhit and state unit president for their alleged communal remarks. They have been asked to submit their replies," election officials in Lucknow said here.

But Varun, whose mother is also a BJP MP, denied the charge in his reply submitted to the District Magistrate M P Agarwal.

The DM said that a complaint was received from the Congress against Varun on which an inquiry had been ordered. He said that the inquiry would be conducted by sub-divisional magistrate Bisalpur M S Akhtar.

"Making communal or casteist remarks amounts to violation of the model code of conduct," officials said.

Varun Gandhi is contesting from Pilibhit seat from where Maneka was elected in the last general election. Maneka, is contesting from Aonla parliamentary constituency this time.