Varun targets Maya, Rahul, calls cow slaughter crime

SAHARANPUR - Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi delivered a fiery speech here Monday, calling for a ban on cow slaughter. He also targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and his cousin Rahul Gandhi whom he called a “handsome face”.

Hundreds of men, women and even children sweated it out to listen to the 30-year-old Gandhi’s 20-minute high voltage speech at Gandhi Park - his first public rally after being appointed the BJP secretary this month.

The MP from Pilibhit called for a “more intense war” against cow slaughter. “It is a social crime. It is a legal crime. Why don’t you wake up and fight this more intense war against cow slaughter? It is not for Hindus only, but for the nation’s pride,” he said.

“Jai shri ram” was his slogan. And the crowd of men, women and children, some of whom had been waiting since 8 a.m., repeatedly responded likewise.

“I know people in western Uttar Pradesh don’t compromise with self-esteem. I am asking you, don’t stay calm, don’t tolerate. Wake up and fight. I want warriors in my troupe, who can fight for your self-esteem.”

Gandhi, who stirred a political storm with a communal speech during the Lok Sabha election campaign last year, this time chose to weigh his words carefully.

The young BJP leader thundered: “If somebody targets my mother, what would I do? I will stand and save her, isn’t it? Likewise, you should get up, gather and save our mother cow.”

He criticised Mayawati over her garlands of currency notes and said the cash should have been used for the welfare of poor farmers and unemployed youth of Uttar Pradesh instead.

“But don’t worry, two more years to go,” he said, pointing to the 2012 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh which, he added, the BJP was confident of winning.

“Then there is another party which has young handsome faces. They have a mission, but don’t worry, we will win,” he said, referring clearly to his estranged cousin Rahul Gandhi and the Congress.

“I know, I am also on this stage with my Gandhi surname. Had I been Varun Chowdhury or Sharma, I would not have been here. But this name comes with responsibility, responsibility towards the poor, towards you,” he said.

Fighting for the poor of the nation is a long struggle that people from “well-off families” are not interested in, he said. “I want to produce at least one lakh Varun Gandhis who will fight that war,” he said.