Varun clarifies to UP: target was ISI,Qaeda

The sources said under the law,an NSA detainee had the right to make a representation to the Government against his detention,but Varun directly went to the Supreme Court without using this remedy.

On the court’s suggestion,Varun has agreed to give an undertaking that he would not make provocative speeches in future,but the sources said the Government could always oppose Varun’s petition on the ground that he had directly gone to the Supreme Court,without using the other remedy.

What could further complicate matters for Varun,the sources said,was that he belonged to the BJP whose then chief minister Kalyan Singh had given an undertaking that he would take all steps to prevent demolition of the Babri Masjid but did not honour it.

Interestingly,in the past few days,BJP leaders have also stopped talking on Varun Gandhi’s detention or criticising the UP Government for it. After his detention was ordered,for days BJP leaders made statements condemning the UP Government’s action and party workers organised protests.

BJP’s in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Kalraj Mishra had announced that Varun’s detention would be an issue in the Lok Sabha elections. In the past three days,however,there have been neither protests nor statements. Mishra claimed the workers were “protesting in their own way,although they have now been asked not to come out on the roads”.

State BJP vice-president and spokesperson H N Dixit said since the matter was before the Supreme Court,the party had decided to wait and watch. “Varun is being victimised and he is surely there on our agenda. But we are focusing on other issues as well,” said Dixit. He said,“We had asked all candidates and district units to submit memorandums addressed to the Governor to their district magistrates by April 15.”