Kasab gets tandoori chicken but I get lauki: Varun

On a day when Ajmal Kasab made demands for perfume and toothpaste, BJP leader Varun Gandhi on Wednesday said the lone surviving gunman in Mumbai attack facing trial was being pampered with 'tandoori chicken' while he is jailed under the stringent National Security Act and fed with the lowly 'lauki'.

"In our country, Varun Gandhi is jailed under the NSA and was having 'lauki'(bottle gourd) in Etah jail but Kasab is treated with 'tandoori chicken' inside the jail," said the 29-year-old leader who is on a two-week parole.

Varun however hastened to add, "I like 'lauki' I am a vegetarian."

In an apparent attempt to suggest that he has been targeted, Gandhi said while the 26/11 accused was booked under the IPC, he was booked under a more stringent NSA for his alleged anti-Muslim hate speeches.

Varun also said the Congress party was on its "last legs" and therefore he would not comment against it.

"I won't comment against Congress as it was breathing its last," Varun said adding that "my mother had told me that I should not say anything bad against people who are on their deathbed".

He however said voting for Congress is same as throwing away one's votes inside a pit.

Apparently trying to encash the imposition of NSA on him, Varun said the battle he was figting for was for the self-respect of the people and protection of their children.

"When I was sent to jail I used to feel bad but not disappointed as I had taken a pledge that I was fighting this battle for the self-respect of the people and protection of their children," Varun said.

Varun said he did not want any child to change his name to defend himself. "No child should be forced to change his name to protect himself or live a life of shame," he said without elaborating on what he had in mind.

Varun also said, "we are not against any community but oppose those who are against India and against us."

He also utilised the poll rally to attack the Mayawati-led BSP government in Uttar Pradesh.

"I was in Lucknow yesterday. The irrigation colony there has been razed for a Kanshi Ram memorial which would cost Rs 32,000 crore. The amount would have been enough to generate employment for five lakh unemployed youth," he said.

While BSP managed to win the UP assembly elections, the doors of Lok Sabha were too small to accomodate an 'elephant', he added.

"I am not referring to Mayawatiji but the election symbol of BSP. I don't want to invite another case against myself," he jokingly said.

First Published: Apr 29, 2009 18:59 IST