Sibal criticises Advani of being silent on Varun issue

The Congress party on Saturday criticised BJP's prime ministerial candidate LK Advani for being "silent" on the party's candidate from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi's hate speeches that have created a political storm.

"The silent Advaniji is completely in tune with what is happening because without his consent this could not have happened. He could have easily stopped it", senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, even as Varun reached his constituency to court arrest.

"He wants this issue to carry on in public eye and continue this tamasha (drama)," said Sibal.

His comments come soon after a surrender plea was moved in a Pilibhit court by 29-year-old Varun, who is making his electoral debut from Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Sibal said this would impact Advani's image as the Hindu community did not like this kind of politics.

"It is time for Advaniji to react to this in a mature fashion....," he said.

Varun, who had earlier got anticipatory bail which ended yesterday, did not apply for extension of bail or go to the Supreme Court to challenge the Allahabad High Court's order dismissing his petition seeking to quash the FIR lodged on the direction of election authorities after CDs containing his anti-Muslim speeches surfaced.