New Delhi: After BJP MP Varun Gandhi got dropped from the BJP national executive list, he posted on Twitter a short clip of a speech of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 1980 hinting a message for the government.
In the short video, Vajpayee is seen warning the then Indira Gandhi government against repressing farmers and extends his support to them.
Gandhi tweeted, "Wise words from a big-hearted leader..."
The BJP MP has been vocal in empathising with farmers agitating against the three agri laws enacted by the Modi government and sharing Vajpayee's speech is seen as his message to the central government.
In the video clip, Vajpayee is heard telling a gathering that farmers cannot be scared.
"If the government will suppress (farmers), misuse laws and repress a peaceful agitation, then we will not shy away from joining the farmers' struggle and standing with them," he is heard saying.
Gandhi has also sought stringent action against those responsible for the death of four farmers after vehicles, allegedly linked to BJP leaders, ran over them in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri. Reports have suggested that the BJP leadership is not happy with the recent actions of the Pilibit MP, hence he was dropped from the national executive list ahead of UP Assembly elections.
The decision of dropping Varun Gandhi came after he had posted a purported video of the Lakhimpur incident where 8 people died including four farmers and said that the protesters cannot be silenced through murder.
"The video is very clear. Protesters cannot be silenced through murder. There should be accountability for the blood of innocent farmers and justice should be given before the message of arrogance and cruelty enters the mind of every farmer, the Pilibhit MP had tweeted.
Varun Gandhi's mother Maneka Gandhi was also dropped from the list but the BJP MP said THAT she is satisfied to be in the party for 20 years and that her non-inclusion in the panel does not reduce her stature.
"I am satisfied to be in the BJP for 20 years. Not being in the executive does not reduce one's stature. My first religion is to serve. It is more important that I get a place in the hearts of people", Gandhi said