Sultanpur, May 6: Senior BJP leader Varun Gandhi's rhetoric against the SP-BSP combine has turned sharper, with the Gandhi scion now describing the Mahagathbandhan leaders as "Pakistanis". The pro-Pakistan charge was levelled by him at the Opposition while he invoked "Bharat Mata" while campaigning for mother Maneka Gandhi.

While addressing a poll rally in Sultanpur, which is set to go to polls on May 12, Varun said he has not come here to seek votes for his mother, but to ask people to vote for "Bharat Mata". He asked the gathering whether they would vote for Bharat Mata or those whose electoral gains will benefit "Pakistan". Varun Gandhi Says Narendra Modi's Success Exceeds What 'PMs of My Own Family' Did

Varun said his mother, who has spent 35 years in public life, has remained untainted all throughout. "There are no stains against her. She has unmatched record in public life. I have come here for Mother India, not my mother," he added.

The mercurial lawmaker stoked a controversy as he was criticising Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party patriarch, for ordering the troops to fire at kar sevaks in Ayodhya when he was the chief minister.

"...these are Pakistani people. Are they or not," Varun asked, further questioning the crowd who had "sprayed bullets on Ram bhakts". The crowd vociferously chanted: "Mulayam Singh Yadav".

Varun, who is currently the Lok Sabha MP from Sultanpur, was issued a ticket this time from Pilibhit, where voting concluded on April 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 06, 2019 11:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).