By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday backed its controversial candidate Varun Gandhi, in the dock for his alleged communal speeches, and indicated that he could go ahead and court arrest after he withdrew his bail plea from the Delhi High Court.
“There is definitely an element of political vendetta against Varun Gandhi. Varun Gandhi has the option of either seeking extension of his bail or courting arrest,” BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj told IANS.
“The party will support him in whatever he chooses to do within the framework of law,” Punj said.
Added another party leader: “The party has no problem in Varun courting arrest and that message has been conveyed to him. He is expected to go to Pilibhit tomorrow to court arrest.”
The Delhi High Court, which had March 20 granted him anticipatory bail till Friday, dismissed Varun Gandhi’s anticipatory bail plea, leaving the Uttar Pradesh police free to arrest him.
A case against Varun Gandhi was lodged in Pilibhit, the Uttar Pradesh constituency from which he is contesting in the April-May Lok Sabha poll.
Varun Gandhi has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of People Act for “promoting enmity” and acts “prejudicial to maintenance of harmony” by police in Pilibhit.