Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh), April 15 (IANS): BJP leader Varun Gandhi Tuesday defended his decision to be with the BJP and refused to criticize his cousin Priyanka Gandhi despite her criticism of him.

In a speech after filing his nomination papers from Sultanpur, Varun Gandhi took on Priyanka Gandhi -- not by name though -- for saying that he (Varun) "has gone astray from the right path".

"I have chosen a path which is the path of the country, and I am sure this is the correct path," he said.

He added that he will not attack family members.

"I stick to my principles in public life and will always adhere to them... I will never cross the 'Lakshman Rekha'."

But he warned his estranged cousins Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi that his silence should not be construed as weakness.

As the crowd cheered him, Varun Gandhi became emotional while remembering his late father, Sanjay Gandhi.

His mother Maneka Gandhi, the BJP candidate from Pilibhit, was not present on the occasion but is likely to join her son's campaign later, a party leader said.

Sultanpur goes to polls May 7 in the fifth round of polling in Uttar Pradesh. Varun Gandhi is presently MP from Pilibhit.

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