By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the Election Commission to take back the notice served on it to over alleged communal remarks made by its member Varun Gandhi, saying it had distanced itself from the controversial speeches.
The BJP, however, told the poll panel late Thursday that in view of Gandhi’s assertion that he had not made the offending remarks, the Election Commission “should endeavour to obtain the original copy of the speech … to check the veracity of the same”.
Gandhi has been accused of making communally inflammatory speeches at public meetings at Pilibhit constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP said in its letter to the Election Commission that “it completely disagrees, disassociates and disapproves the contents of the alleged CD (of the speeches) as sent to us.
“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.”
The BJP reiterated its commitment to the model code of conduct “in its entirety” and said it “shall endeavour to fully comply with it”.
“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.
“In view of the categorical position taken by the BJP before the issuance of the notice (by the poll panel) and in reply to the notice, we request the Election Commission to discharge the notice.”