I am against those who spread terror: Varun

BJP leader Varun Gandhi, accused of making anti-Muslim speeches, on Monday said he did not consider any religion as his enemy but was against those who spread terror and are involved in anti-national activities.

"I am not against any religion or consider any religion as my enemy. I am against those people who spread terror and are involved in anti-national activities", Varun told an election meeting here.

Taking a dig at Congress, Varun said "my mother told me as a kid that we should not comment on a person who is breathing his last."

He asked BJP to introspect on its decline in Uttar Pradesh and said the party worker has to be given enough recognition in order to ensure that the party reclaims top spot in the state.

"Why is it that BJP declined in UP? It is because party workers were not given enough recognition. When I was jailed, about 70 people sustained injuries and many were beside me.

This is because I was in touch with them through their thick and thin. I fought for them and for their honour since I know that they are the actual backbone of the party and if they are not secured, the future of the party is also not."

"People used to say that they see my father (Sanjay Gandhi) in me but unfortunately my father died when I was barely 100 days old. What I learnt from my father is that he always stood by whatever he had said and I can assure you one thing that I will follow my father at least in this regard. I want to emulate my father if not now, at least in the next five years.

Varun said he entered politics as he was quite unhappy with the way, the country is being governed.

Pitching for a greater role of youths in politics, he said, "I could enter politics because I am Varun Gandhi. But thousands of youth could not enter politics as they are from ordinary families. They get a party ticket when they touch the age of 70."

Criticising Bahujan Samaj Party, Varun said "the Rs 18,000 crore spent on building Kanshiram Smarak here could have been easily used to give employment to one lakh people."

The scion of the Gandhi family said he is pained to see the ever-increasing gulf between the rich and poor people in the state during his recent tours of Bundelkahnd, Rohilkhand and Awadh.

He said he is not against the policemn. "The police is doing its job quite well. They are our saviour and not enemies. But I object the moment the police is used to settle political scores and the policemen put in political uniforms.

The moment policemen wear political uniforms, they become devils."