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Call to bar Gandhi family scion Call to bar Gandhi family scion
(about 2 hours later)
India's election authorities have said that a grandson of the late PM Indira Gandhi should not be nominated as a candidate for the upcoming elections. India's election authorities have advised the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to not nominate a grandson of the late PM Indira Gandhi.
The authorities said Varun Gandhi had made "highly derogatory" remarks while campaigning in his constituency.The authorities said Varun Gandhi had made "highly derogatory" remarks while campaigning in his constituency.
Mr Gandhi is alleged to have made the anti-Muslim statements while campaigning for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP says it stands by Mr Gandhi and has accused the commission of "bias".
He has denied the claims, saying an apparent recording was "doctored". Mr Gandhi is alleged to have made anti-Muslim statements while campaigning for the upcoming polls. He has denied the claims.
India's Election Commission, however, says it is convinced that footage of Mr Gandhi's speech has "not been tampered with, doctored or morphed as alleged by the respondent". Mr Gandhi says an apparent recording of his speech has been "doctored".
The commission said in an 10-page order that Mr Gandhi "does not deserve to be a candidate". The Election Commission, however, says it is convinced that footage of Mr Gandhi's speech has "not been tampered with, doctored or morphed as alleged by the respondent".
'Highly derogatory'
In a 10-page order, the commission said that Mr Gandhi "does not deserve to be a candidate".
It said that Mr Gandhi's statements contained "highly derogatory" references and seriously provocative language of a "wholly unacceptable" nature.It said that Mr Gandhi's statements contained "highly derogatory" references and seriously provocative language of a "wholly unacceptable" nature.
Meanwhile, several BJP leader have come out in Mr Gandhi's support.
BJP spokesman Balbir Punj told reporters that Mr Gandhi should be given a chance to explain his position before he was declared guilty.
Another party leader, Prakash Javdekar, said it was not the commission's job to decide as to who should contest the polls and any action with regard to someone's candidature could be taken only by the courts.
"Varun Gandhi has raised doubts on the authenticity of the CD [containing the recording of the speech]. The Election Commission has chosen to give a judgement without any examination," Mr Javdekar told the channel.
"It seems the commission has turned into an investigating agency and a forensic laboratory.. After receiving a formal letter from the commission, we will give our view on it at an proper time," he said.
'A victim'
Mr Gandhi cannot be barred from contesting elections unless he is convicted or found guilty by courts, but criminal charges have now been filed against him.Mr Gandhi cannot be barred from contesting elections unless he is convicted or found guilty by courts, but criminal charges have now been filed against him.
Mr Gandhi says he is a "victim of a political conspiracy".Mr Gandhi says he is a "victim of a political conspiracy".
"It was not my voice, not my words," he told reporters last week."It was not my voice, not my words," he told reporters last week.
"There is no question of saying anything against any community. India is home to all faiths and beliefs and I respect this," he said."There is no question of saying anything against any community. India is home to all faiths and beliefs and I respect this," he said.
Mr Gandhi, a BJP candidate for the Pilibhit constituency in northern Uttar Pradesh state, is the son of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's younger son who was killed in a plane crash.Mr Gandhi, a BJP candidate for the Pilibhit constituency in northern Uttar Pradesh state, is the son of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's younger son who was killed in a plane crash.
Although he is a descendant of the influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, Mr Gandhi belongs to a side of the family that has disowned them.Although he is a descendant of the influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, Mr Gandhi belongs to a side of the family that has disowned them.
Now a member of the Hindu nationalist BJP, he had been set to make his political debut in next month's general election.Now a member of the Hindu nationalist BJP, he had been set to make his political debut in next month's general election.
Criminal charges
During one of two controversial speeches, which was aired on television, Mr Gandhi is seen apparently making offensive remarks against Muslims.During one of two controversial speeches, which was aired on television, Mr Gandhi is seen apparently making offensive remarks against Muslims.
Criminal charges have been filed against him since the election commission reviewed the footage.Criminal charges have been filed against him since the election commission reviewed the footage.
The BJP has distanced itself from the remarks and says it will consider action if the charges are proved.The BJP has distanced itself from the remarks and says it will consider action if the charges are proved.
If convicted, Mr Gandhi could be disqualified from contesting the election and face imprisonment.If convicted, Mr Gandhi could be disqualified from contesting the election and face imprisonment.