EC seeks report on Varun’s speech

The state election commission has sought a report on an election speech delivered by Varun Gandhi on March 8. Rajesh Kumar Singh reports.

The state election commission has sought a report on an election speech delivered by Varun Gandhi on March 8.

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Varun, 28, the only son of Maneka and the late Sanjay Gandhi, is contesting his first-ever election from the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, earlier held by his mother.

Sources in Pilibhit claimed that some of Varun’s statements were highly provocative and aggressive in its support of Hindus.

“If anyone thinks Hindus are weak and lacking in leaders, if anyone believes our leaders are willing to lick boots to get votes, if anyone raises his hand at Hindus, then I swear on the Gita I will cut off that hand,” he is reported to have said.

“It is condemnable. Varun is associated with a party which has an anti-minority ideology and culture,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi.

With inputs from agencies