BJP shuns Varun, says abusing religion is not party culture

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday virtually shunned its candidate for the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat Varun Gandhi for his alleged hate Muslim speeches saying the party believed in harmony and unity, unlike the Congress.

'BJP believes in prosperity, harmony and unity and it is the only tool to fight terror,' BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

He did not refer to Varun Gandhi's Congress family background - he is the son of the late Sanjay Gandhi, former prime minister Indira Gandhi's younger son and Maneka Gandhi - but said: 'It is the Congress culture to divide society on the basis of caste and religion.'

Clearly distancing himself from the controversy, Naqvi said it was up to the Election Commission to take action against Varun Gandhi if he had violated the model code of conduct.

The 29-year-old was Sunday issued a notice by the district authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit, the constituency so carefully nurtured by his mother who gave up the seat to ensure his easy entry into the Lok Sabha.

Varun Gandhi said in Pilibhit Tuesday that the CD containing his speech had been tampered with.

He also said he would address a press conference in Delhi from a proper party platform Wednesday and clarify his stand on the controversy.