Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi on Tuesday said that Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman from the terror attack on Mumbai, was being pampered with tandoori chicken while he was jailed under the stringent National Security Act and fed the lowly lauki.
"In our country, Varun Gandhi is jailed under the NSA and was having lauki (bottle gourd) in Etah jail but Kasab is treated with tandoori chicken inside the jail," said the 29-year-old leader while addressing an election meeting in Meerut.
However, Varun hastened to add, "I like lauki. I am a vegetarian."
In an apparent attempt to suggest that he has been targeted, Gandhi said while the 26/11 accused was booked under the Indian Penal Code, he was booked under the more stringent NSA for his alleged anti-Muslim hate speeches.
Varun also said that the Congress party was on its 'last legs' and therefore he would not comment against it.
"I won't comment against the Congress as it is breathing its last," Varun said, adding that "my mother had told me that I should not say anything bad against people who are on their deathbed".
He added that voting for the Congress is the same as throwing away one's votes inside a pit.
"When I was sent to jail I used to feel bad, but I was not disappointed, as I had taken a pledge that I was fighting this battle for the self-respect of the people and protection of their children," Varun said.
In the dock for his alleged hate speeches, Varun said, "We are not against any community, but oppose those who are against India and against us."
He also utilised the poll rally to attack the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party government in Uttar Pradesh.
"I was in Lucknow yesterday. The irrigation colony there has been razed for a Kanshi Ram memorial which would cost Rs 32,000 crore. The amount would have been enough to generate employment for five lakh unemployed youth," he said.
While the BSP managed to win the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the doors of Lok Sabha were too small to accommodate an 'elephant', he added.
"I am not referring to Mayawatiji but the election symbol of BSP. I don't want to invite another case against myself," he jokingly said.
