LK Advani said the party's decision to reject the EC's advice not to field Varun Gandhi is in accordance with the Constitution.
Unfazed by criticism, BJP senior leader LK Advani on Sunday struck a defiant note, saying that the party's decision to reject Election Commission's advice not to field Varun Gandhi is in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
"Party has taken correct stand under the law and in accordance with Constitution," he said in reply to questions whether the party would deny ticket to Varun Gandhi in view of the growing criticism against fielding him from Pilibhit.
However, he disassociated the party from the content of the hate speeches purported to have been made by Gandhi, who, however, has said that they were "doctored".
Wondering over the Election Commission's recommendation to the party not to give ticket to Gandhi, Advani said that this has happened for the first time in the last 60 years.
Noting that such powers have not been given to the EC by the Constitution or the law, he said, "So far as party is concerned.....the party has taken correct stand under the law and according to Constitution. I will ask government to act accordingly."
Making a rare appearance at the BJP headquarters, he said he has been maintaining from day one that whether the charges are correct or not has not been proved and the tapes are "doctored".
At the same time, Advani said every BJP candidate should exercise restraint in their utterances and there should be peace.
"At the moment I have nothing more to add on this issue," he said, when he was told that the EC is saying the tape is not doctored.
A day after Varun Gandhi surrendered before a Pilibhit court turning the entire event into a political spectacle, BJP's prime ministerial candidate met the media mainly to make demands for unearthing Indian black money stashed in foreign banks.
Meanwhile, Gandhi was on Sunday charged by the Uttar Pradesh police for non-bailable offences including attempt to murder, rioting and other offences.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}