In a significant development, Ashish Deshmukh, son of former MPCC chief Ranjit Deshmukh, went to Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and extended moral support to Varun Gandhi. Varun, who was charged with making hate speech and inciting violence against religious minority, surrendered before the court in Pilibhit.
Deshmukh, who sought a Congress nomination from Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, suddenly went to Pilibhit and accompanied Varun when he courted arrest on Saturday. “A youth leader like Varun Gandhi is the need of hour and hence I came here to support him,” says Deshmukh.
Only last month, Deshmukh had launched a signature campaign in favour of AICC general secretary, Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Nagpur. The State Congress youth wing discouraged him to do so and when he refused to refrain from it, the state unit removed him from the state secretaryship.
According to Deshmukh, Varun is like late Sanjay Gandhi, a dynamic youthvisionary who can lead the country. “I got a call from Varun a couple of days ago and I told him that I would come to Pilibhit to support him,” he added.
To a question, Deshmukh said it was for the Congress whether it should take action against him for supporting Varun. “I believe in my principles and am willing to fight for them. I am also ready to face any consequence for my decision,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}To a question, Deshmukh said it was for the Congress whether it should take action against him for supporting Varun. “I believe in my principles and am willing to fight for them. I am also ready to face any consequence for my decision,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}On the other hand, Ranjit Deshmukh accompanied the Congress candidate from Ramtek, Mukul Wasnik for filing the nomination papers on Saturday.