BJP wants Varun's security upgraded

The BJP today said in the Lok Sabha that party MP Varun Gandhi's life was under threat from an underworld outfit and demanded upgrading of his security.

BJP's deputy leader Sushma Swaraj referred to the arrest of seven alleged associates of underworld don Chhota Shakeel who had apparently come to Delhi to kill an advocate who had taken up Varun's case in the hate-speech incident.

"Varun Gandhi is a honourable member of this House and the youngest MP from our party...A notorious underworld group has decided to kill him. It has made two attempts in this regard. Three days ago, seven people had come to Delhi with this intention and they were arrested by Delhi Police," she said.

She said it was surprising that Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal had acknowledged that these men had come to kill Varun's advocate but refused to accept that they wanted to assassinate the MP too. Swaraj said it was "common sense" that no group will gain anything by killing only an advocate but even if it was so, it was a serious matter.

Varun Gandhi had met Home Minister P Chidambaram in this regard but sadly the response he got was neither "satisfactory" nor "logical", Swaraj said. She said the matter could not be brushed aside by saying that security aspect is looked after by the Home Secretary as it involves an MP.

"If an attempt is made on the life of an MP, he will not go to a secretary but will apprise the home minister. But since he did not get a satisfactory response there, I thought I should at least mention the issue in the House and make it a witness. If something happens tomorrow, there will be nothing else than repentance," Swaraj said.

The BJP leader said the home minister should be directed to ensure that Varun gets proper security, which is not the case at present.

"His security should be upgraded. It should be seen that his life is not played with," she said.