Rahul Mahajan attends BJP's Afzal rally

Marking his first appearance at a political event after his father's death, Rahul Mahajan, son of late Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Pramod Mahajan, on Wednesday parried all questions about his future in the party, saying his joining the party was not a necessity and he would continue to work for any cause that was close to his heart.

At a rally to press for hanging of 2001 Parliament attack case accused Mohammed Afzal, Rahul gave all the politically correct answers to questions, denying that this was his "political debut" and stressed that he was willing to work whenever the party required him.

"I am here because the cause is close to my heart, not because it is a political function nor is it my debut. The BJP is in my blood. I have watched it as a kid," he told reporters on the sidelines of the rally.

When asked whether he would join the party, Mahajan said, "I do not need to complete such formalities. I will work for the party whenever they need me to do so. I don't expect anything in return."

He also denied that he had kept a low profile after the drug scandal involving him a few months ago, saying, "I have neither kept a low profile nor have I tried to be very visible. It is the media that creates this impression. I am only here to show my solidarity with the cause."

Mahajan also strongly criticised those groups who were demanding clemency for Afzal saying, "He is a terrorist and he should be treated that way. This is not the time for politics or religion to come in the way."

The rally was organised by the BJP Yuva Morcha.