BJP distances itself from Varun's remarks on Mayawati

Varun Gandhi, while speaking at a function organised to welcome Shahi here on Wednesday, said the statues of UP Chief Minister Mayawati would be replaced with those of Lord Rama when the BJP came to power in the state.

“All statues of Mayawati will be removed and the grand idols of Lord Rama will be installed there,” Varun said much to the discomfort of the senior state leaders who were present there.

BJP national vice-president Vinay Katiyar, speaking later at the function, said the idols of Lord Rama could only be installed at a “sacred place”.On Thursday, at his first press conference as UP BJP chief Shahi steered clear of the remarks saying that they were Gandhi’s “personal views”.

“The comment does not reflect BJP’s view... they are his personal views,” Shahi said.
Gandhi had landed in jail after being arrested for his alleged provocative speech during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls in Pilibhit in UP. On another occasion, he had compared Union Minister Sharad Pawar with “Ravana”.