By IANS,
New Delhi : After colleague Nitish Kumar, it was Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Sharad Yadav’s turn Friday to speak out against ally BJP’s candidate Varun Gandhi’s allegedly communal statements and assert that the Election Commission must ensure stern action.
“The Election Commission should initiate tough action against anyone who makes such remarks,” Sharad Yadav told reporters after Varun Gandhi withdrew his bail application from the Delhi High Court in a reported bid to court arrest.
Asked about Varun Gandhi’s move in the court, Sharad Yadav said: “What do we about it?”
Asked whether Varun Gandhi’s statements would have any impact on the JD-U’s electoral prospects, the convenor of the BJP-led NDA said: “We are not going to be affected by it. Nobody can point a finger at our secularism.”
He also said his party was part of the NDA; “we are together and there is no change in this position.”
Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar had reacted similarly to Varun Gandhi’s allegedly communal utterances, saying: “I feel he (Varun) cannot escape legal action.”
Varun Gandhi courted controversy after his allegedly communal speeches early this month during election rallies in the Pilibhit constituency in Uttar Pradesh, from where he is contesting.
The Election Commission reprimanded him while the police lodged a criminal case against him for the incendiary remarks.