Allahabad, Mar 19 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi on Thursday moved the Allahabad High Court challenging the criminal case lodged against him on the directives of the Election Commission for his alleged anti-Muslims remarks.

He claimed that the whole issue was created by his political rivals and was the result of a political conspiracy.

“It was a part of a political conspiracy to spoil my political career and tarnish my secular image,” Gandhi said.

He also claimed that the tape showing his alleged anti-Muslim remarks has been doctored.

Varun Gandhi, who is the BJP candidate for the Pilibhit constituency in Uttar Pradesh, was accused of making inflammatory communal remarks at election meetings in his constituency on March 6.

Gandhi had been recorded as saying, "If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand."

The Election Commission has issued a notice to Gandhi, charging him of violating the Model Code of Conduct for elections by making communal remarks.

Following the Election Commission notice the Pilibhit police filed a FIR under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion) and 188
(disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act. (ANI)