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BJP refuses to drop Varun Gandhi BJP refuses to drop Varun Gandhi
(about 2 hours later)
India's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says ex-PM Indira Gandhi's grandson will be an election candidate, despite anti-Muslim accusations.India's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says ex-PM Indira Gandhi's grandson will be an election candidate, despite anti-Muslim accusations.
The Election Commission (EC) had advised the BJP not to nominate Varun Gandhi, saying he had made "highly derogatory" remarks while campaigning.The Election Commission (EC) had advised the BJP not to nominate Varun Gandhi, saying he had made "highly derogatory" remarks while campaigning.
The BJP said the EC was biased and that only courts could rule on candidacy.The BJP said the EC was biased and that only courts could rule on candidacy.
Mr Gandhi has denied making the comments and said a recording of the remarks had been "doctored". Mr Gandhi expressed "deep disappointment over the unseemly haste" in which the EC had acted.
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". He has denied making the comments and said a recording of the remarks had been "doctored".
The Election Commission, however, said it was convinced that footage of Mr Gandhi's speech had "not been tampered with, doctored or morphed as alleged by the respondent".
'Victim''Victim'
In a 10-page order, the commission said that Mr Gandhi, 29, "does not deserve to be a candidate" in next month's election.In a 10-page order, the commission said that Mr Gandhi, 29, "does not deserve to be a candidate" in next month's election.
The Election Commission has chosen to give a judgement without any examination Prakash Javdekar,senior BJP leader I remain confident for I believe my real court of appeal lies with the people Varun Gandhi
It said Mr Gandhi's statements contained "highly derogatory" references and seriously provocative language of a "wholly unacceptable" nature.It said Mr Gandhi's statements contained "highly derogatory" references and seriously provocative language of a "wholly unacceptable" nature.
However, Balbir Punj, a spokesman for the BJP, India's main opposition party, said the commission had "no authority to give such a direction to a political party".However, Balbir Punj, a spokesman for the BJP, India's main opposition party, said the commission had "no authority to give such a direction to a political party".
"Varun Gandhi is the BJP candidate in Pilibhit [constituency in Uttar Pradesh]. What I am telling you is the outcome of the consultations among the BJP leaders.""Varun Gandhi is the BJP candidate in Pilibhit [constituency in Uttar Pradesh]. What I am telling you is the outcome of the consultations among the BJP leaders."
Mr Gandhi, who is making his political debut in the election, condemned the EC decision, saying he was "astonished that such harsh censure should be used without any attempt to ascertain the truth".
He said that in its "adverse remarks and recommendations to the BJP" the EC had "acted beyond its jurisdiction and has surpassed its powers".
He added: "I remain confident for I believe my real court of appeal lies with the people."
The footage of Mr Gandhi's rallies on 6 and 8 March in Pilibhit have been broadcast on Indian television.The footage of Mr Gandhi's rallies on 6 and 8 March in Pilibhit have been broadcast on Indian television.
But senior BJP leader, Prakash Javdekar, said: "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.
"It seems the commission has turned into an investigating agency and a forensic laboratory."
Mr Gandhi, who is making his political debut in the election, says he is a "victim of a political conspiracy".
"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.
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 is the son of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's younger son who was killed in a plane crash.Mr Gandhi 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.