Under fire for his disparaging remarks against Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari has now sought to fend off the flak by describing them as “respectable leaders.”
Decidedly contrite at the opening his Meet the Press programme at the Chandigarh Press Club on Thursday afternoon, Mr Gadkari said, “Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad-ji are both respectable leaders and I respect them. I also regret the remarks I made on Wednesday evening and withdraw them.”
He said, “I believe we must have respect for everyone in a democracy and therefore I take my words back.” The BJP chief reiterated that he had meant no personal disrespect for either Mr Mulayam Singh or Mr Lalu Prasad and had only used the phrase ‘foot-licking dogs’ as part of a proverb. “My comments evidently created the wrong impression because they were misconstrued,” he said.
Responding to reports of widespread criticism and demands for his resignation, Mr Gadkari again pleaded that people “must understand the spirit in which I made those remarks.” However, he eventually seemed to lose his cool to persistent queries from reporters. “I have said what I wanted to stay,” he said in a huff.
Notwithstanding the BJP chief’s unconditional apology, his convoy had to negotiate an angry, slogan-shouting crowd of Rashtriya Janata Dal workers as it left the Press Club premises.