Varun has betrayed the Gandhi family, says Priyanka

Amethi (Uttar Pradesh), April 15 (IANS) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Tuesday slammed estranged cousin Varun Gandhi for the second time in three days, criticising him for siding with the BJP, and "betraying the family".

Talking to reporters in Amethi, Priyanka accused the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency of "betraying the family".

Her remarks came hours after Varun Gandhi gave a warning that his silence should not be construed as weakness.

Varun, son of late Sanjay Gandhi, pointed out at a rally after filing his nomination papers that he had never crossed the "Lakshman Rekha" of decency.

Priyanka, however, said the two were not engaged in a "family tea party" but were in the middle of an "ideological war".

A visibly upset Priyanka, daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and late former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, said she would not have even forgiven her children for being with a group that is out to destroy the country's social and secular fabric.

"My father laid down his life for the unity of this country. How can I take all this silently?" she said when asked about her remarks against her cousin.

Priyanka said she was not upset over the leakage of her speech at a closed door meeting a few days back where she urged people to vote against Varun and bring him back to the right path.

Varun is contesting from Sultanpur constituency neighbouring Amethi and Rae Bareli, the pocket boroughs of the Gandhi family.