Kolkata: Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami on Thursday said it is for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi to prove that the tape, which allegedly shows him delivering inflammatory speeches, was 'doctored'.
"We did not prepare the tapes, they were broadcast by a television channel. We have taken it from them," Gopalaswami told reporters.
"We have seen the video that we got. It is for Varun Gandhi to prove that they were doctored. We are not in the business of probing other people's case," he said.
Asked if the Election Commission will allow Varun Gandhi to contest the elections, the CEC said: "that question will only arise once the nominations start".
Varun, the 29-year-old son of five-time Pilibhit MP Maneka Gandhi, has created a storm by adopting a fanatical pro-Hindu stance in his speeches.
An unfazed Varun Gandhi asserted Wednesday that he was a "Gandhi, a Hindu and an Indian" and insisted that the CD showing him making inflammatory speeches was doctored.
The poll panel served notice to Varun Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Ramapati Ram Tripathi to explain why they "disregarded and violated the provisions of the model code of conduct".
Asked about the action taken by the commission against Varun Gandhi and the BJP, Gopalaswami said: "Regarding Varun we have already taken action against him. As far as BJP is concerned, we will decide when they reply to our notice."
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