BJP leader Varun Gandhi will visit his constituency, Pilibhit, and court arrest on Saturday.
BJP leader Varun Gandhi will visit his constituency, Pilibhit, and court arrest on Saturday. The 29-year-old grandson of former prime minister, late Indira Gandhi, was advised to do so by senior party members who believe the move will turn him into a martyr and help him gain political mileage before the general elections.
Earlier on Friday, Varun withdrew his anticipatory bail plea in the Delhi high court as the Allahabad high court refused to quash a police complaint filed against him for his inflammatory speeches against Muslims.
The Delhi HC, which on March 20 granted Varun anticipatory bail till Friday, dismissed his plea as withdrawn, leaving the Uttar Pradesh Police free to arrest him. Although Varun could have moved the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad and Delhi high courts’ orders, he has decided to take a different political route.
Backing Varun, BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj said: “There is definitely an element of political vendetta against Varun. He has the option of either seeking extension of his bail or courting arrest… The party will support him in whatever he chooses to do within the framework of law.”
The BJP support shows that the party wants to make him a mascot and rallying point for Hindutva in a campaign that is flagging in the absence of emotional issues to stir up its supporters, particularly in a state like Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP believes that Varun’s arrest and the media coverage will benefit the party. Several news channels have already rushed teams to Pilibhit to cover his arrest.
Varun is emerging as a hero among the BJP’s rank and file and demands have come from several candidates for him to come and campaign in their constituencies.
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