Cong after Varun for family rivalry, says BJP

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that the Congress is targeting Varun Gandhi only because of a family rivalry. Naidu was speaking to mediapersons at Bengaluru following an election meeting of the party.

Naidu said that he had spoken to Varun Gandhi and he was told that the tape was doctored. The party leaders will meet and go through the speech and only then come to a conclusion on the issue.

"I believe Varun Gandhi as of now," Naidu said.

He further stated that there are no gag orders on BJP leaders as they don't support it. "We have, however, told all our candidates to keep in mind the party's culture, philosophy and also the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission," Naidu added.

'Uma Bharati hasn't proposed return'

On the return of the former firebrand leader  Uma Bharati, Naidu said that she had neither proposed anything of this sort with us. "She has only expressed that she would prefer that L K Advani becomes the next prime minister," Naidu said.

'No rivalry between Jaitley and Rajnath'

Naidu angrily remarked that the issues party leader Arun Jaitley had raised were not something to be discussed at a press conference.

"Jaitley, for your kind information, is working. He was with the party workers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on Tuesday. Apart from this he is also taking care of the media campaign. There is absolutely no rivalry between Jaitley and (party president) Rajnath Singh and whatever issues he has raised, are being looked into," Naidu clarified.

'Congress is lagging behind'

The BJP leader said the party has a head start in the campaign and the main rival -- the Congress, is lagging behind. "We have practically firmed up alliances, nothing is pending," Naidu said.

Naidu also mocked the Congress of being politically ragged and stated that two of its alliances had announced a seat sharing pact (in Bihar) without the consent of the Congress.

'Third Front is still undecided on their leader'

Regarding the Third Front, Naidu said that they have an agreement not to agree. "They are still undecided on their leader, seat sharing and also other alliance partners," Naidu said.

'We have asked Yeddyurrappa not to come'

Naidu also said that Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa did not attend the meeting since BJP had asked him not to come. "There is no problem between Yeddyurappa and BJP Member of Parliament Ananth Kumar," he added.

Later, Ananth Kumar, who was also present in the press conference, did his bit to clarify about his alleged spat with the Karnataka CM. "We are both in the Karnataka BJP team," Kumar said.

'S M Krishna will face the same consequence'

Naidu also said that the Congress has made it a habit to insult former chief minister S M Krishna. "Last time, they took him out of Raj Bhavan in Mumbai and brought him to Karnataka only to dump him. This time too he will face the same consequence," Naidu added.

'Ram Sena is not a BJP wing'

The senior BJP leader also said that the party doesn't support moral policing. "Here I would like to make it clear that the Ram Sena is not a wing of the BJP. The last time during the elections, they contested against us and even till date they issue statements against us," Naidu said.