Rise against Mayawati government, Varun Gandhi exhorts voters

July 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Uttar Pradesh Government on Friday has given permission to file chargesheet against BJP MP Varun Gandhi for his 'hate speech' in Pilibhit. The BJP MP is currently out on bail.

May 14th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh Government on Thursday revoked the National Security Act (NSA) invoked against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi for allegedly making hate speeches. UP Government's decision came hours after the Supreme Court ordered the State Government to revoke the NSA against Varun Gandhi.

May 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Thursday ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to revoke the National Security Act (NSA) imposed against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Varun Gandhi. A bench of Chief Justice K.G.

May 9th, 2009 PILIBHIT - A day after a court panel recommended revocation of the National Security Act (NSA) provisions against him, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi asked voters in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit parliamentary constituency to rise against the 'anti-poor' Mayawati government. Addressing voters in Puranpur in Pilibhit, which goes to the polls in the last phase May 13, Gandhi said: 'We should rise against the Mayawati government as she is against the poor and those promoting nationalism.' 'Everyone knows I do whatever I say even if I have to go to jail,' Gandhi said, as his supporters chanted 'Jai Sri Ram'.

May 6th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Wednesday said Varun Gandhi had 'no moral right to use Gandhi as his surname' because of his 'violent behaviour'. 'A person with violent behaviour can never be a Gandhi,' Mayawati said referring to Mahatama Gandhi 'who was the greatest exponent of the doctrine of ahimsa (non-violence)'.

April 16th, 2009 LUCKNOW - If Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi did not behave and indulged in any more hate speeches after his release on parole, he would be dealt with more severely, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said here Thursday. 'We may have to use more stringent laws if Varun Gandhi violates the terms of the affidavit that he has sworn before the Supreme Court following which he was granted repreive,' Mayawati told a hurriedly convened press conference.

April 6th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh will Monday visit Uttar Pradesh's Etah jail where his party's Pilibhit candidate Varun Gandhi is behind bars for his alleged inflammatory campaign speeches. BJP workers will also demonstrate against the Mayawati-led state government for invoking the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against Varun Gandhi, who was moved from Pilibhit to Etah, 300 km away, last week.

April 6th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh will Monday visit Uttar Pradesh's Etah jail where the party's Pilibhit candidate Varun Gandhi is behind bars for his alleged inflammatory campaign speeches. BJP workers will also demonstrate against the Mayawati-led state government for invoking the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against Varun Gandhi, who was moved from Pilibhit to Etah, 300 km away, last week.

April 4th, 2009 INDORE - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday expressed anguish over invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against Varun Gandhi. Varun Gandhi, who is a BJP candidate from the Pilibhit parliamentary constituency, got mired in a controversy for his alleged anti-Muslim speech during an election campaign in Pilibhit.

April 4th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Saturday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Maneka Gandhi, saying she should have brought up her son Varun better rather than defending him. Varun Gandhi is in jail, facing a charge of delivering campaign speeches vilifying Muslims.

April 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Senior Congress leader Arjun Singh on Saturday expressed regret on the detention of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi under the National Security Act. Talking to reporters about the recent controversy on Varun Gandhi's anti-Muslim remarks in an election rally in Pilibhit and the slapping of NSA against him by the Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh government, he said, " It is unfortunate." After his alleged hate speech came out in the media and a court disallowed him to extend his anticipatory bail in the case, the Uttar Pradesh police, last month, booked Varun Gandhi under the National Security Act.

April 4th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was firmly behind Varun Gandhi, party general secretary Arun Jaitley Saturday said Uttar Pradesh's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) would 'pay a heavy price' if the 'vindictive' charges against the young leader were not dropped. 'The steps taken by (Chief Minister) Mayawati against Varun Gandhi are disproportionate and vindictive.

April 4th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Saturday justified the use of the National Security Act (NSA) to jail Varun Gandhi, saying his actions were unpardonable, and warned that anyone indulging in similar acts would get the same treatment in her state. She also took on Maneka Gandhi, saying she should have brought up her son better.

April 4th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Arun Jaitley Saturday demanded that the Uttar Pradesh government revoke the 'vindictive' charges under the National Security Act slapped on Varun Gandhi, who is in jail for his reported hate speeches against Muslims. Addressing a press conference at the party's state headquarters here, Jaitley attacked Chief Minister Mayawati.

March 30th, 2009 LUCKNOW - A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation will Monday evening meet Uttar Pradesh Governor T.V. Rajeswar, seeking his intervention into the case against party's Lok Sabha candidate from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi, who was booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) Sunday night.