Contrary to new party chief Nitin Gadkari's campaign for development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi on Saturday said the party should focus on the Ganga, safety of cows and care of temples.
"Price rise is an issue alright, but we should not forget what our party was
formed for. We should not compromise on our self-respect," he said while addressing a rally at Shikarpur in Uttar Pradesh.
"If we don't fight for our self-respect, the Ganga (river), Gau mata (cows), our temples and the youth, then everything else will fall apart," he added.
He said he has constructed around 200 temples in his parliamentary constituency of Pilibhit with his own money.
"While I was coming here. I saw many minars on the way. But I don't have any problem with that. What I feel bad about is the poor condition of our temples today. They are the signs of our faith and we should do everything to take care of them," Gandhi said.
Even as slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" raged on, Gandhi said: "I will ensure that no cow slaughter takes place here and if you hear of any such case, you can call me any time and I will be there. We will get our hands cut off, but won't let any cow get slaughtered".
Gandhi said the country wants strong leadership today.
"People want a completely new kind of politics. They don't want leaders to sit in their bungalows and not visit their constituency. Unlike others, even after I won the elections, I regularly keep visiting my constituency," he said.
Gandhi also spoke about issues of land acquisition and the plight of farmers.