New Delhi, July 9: The BJP president, Mr Nitin Gadkari, has done it again!
After a profuse spree of apologising for describing Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav as “dogs... who lick the feet” of the Congress and its chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, he created another flutter Thursday night by describing Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, now on death row, as the “Congress’ son-in-law”.
Using language that shocked and astounded many, including several leaders of his own party, Mr Gadkari, addressing a BJP rally in Dehra Dun, said: Is Afzal Guru the son-in-law of the Congress? Have you (Congress) given your daughter to him (Afzal). Why is he being given special treatment?
A seething Congress hit back strongly.
The Congress spokesman, Mr Manish Tewari, saying the remarks “smack of obscenity, obnoxiousness and obtuseness”, went on to add that it was evident “that the esteemed president of the BJP has lost it completely... The BJP should take pity on him and put him into a psychiatric facility. The man needs serious help.”
Another party spokesman, Mr Shakeel Ahmed, condemning the remark, described it as “uncharitable and cheap”.
The BJP spokesman, Mr Ravishankar Prasad, demanded that the Congress apologise.
The BJP president, meanwhile, was unapologetic about his remarks and insisted to reporters on Friday that “I have said nothing wrong.”
When questioned about his comment, he said: “I stick to my stand, and so there is no need to apologise... The Congress should answer why it is not executing the Supreme Court orders.