Not responsible for Varun's speech: BJP to EC

Distancing itself from Varun Gandhi's hate speeches, the BJP today told the Election Commission that his remarks do not represent the views of the party even as it asked the poll panel to check the genuineness of the CD containing the comments.  

"The Bharatiya Janata Party categorically states that it completely disagrees, disassociates and disapproves the contents of the CD as sent to us," party leader R Ramakrishna said in his single page reply to an EC notice.  

Even assuming that a speech has been delivered by a member of the party, these contents do not represent the views of the party or its policies, it added.  

Election Commission had issued a notice to BJP and Varun Gandhi, the party's candidate from Pilibhit, on the alleged anti-Muslim speeches made by him early this month.  

However, the party avoided mentioning Varun as an official candidate in the reply. "Merely because a member of the party has expressed views contrary to what the party stands for, the party cannot be vested with any responsibility," the BJP said, adding "the party is also independently looking into the matter."  

While stating that BJP was unaware of the speech by Varun till its contents were telecast by news channels, the letter asked EC to check the authenticity of the CD.