Foot-in-mouth Gadkari does it again

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BJP president Nitin Gadkari has done it again! After a profuse spree of apologising for describing Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav as “dogs... who lick the feet” of the Congress and its chief 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. Congress spokesman 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 Shakeel Ahmed, condemning the remark, described it as “uncharitable and cheap”.
The BJP, of course, did not find Mr Tewari’s remarks palatable, and its spokesman 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 Dehra Dun comment, he said: “I stick to my stand, and so there is no need to apologise... I have not made a wrong statement. The Congress should answer why it is not executing the orders of the Supreme Court (sentencing Afzal Guru to death).”
Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed warned that the party should not be held responsible if “something untoward happens” after Congress workers reacted to such remarks.
While there were whispers within BJP ranks against the Gadkari brand of politics, its JD(U) ally was more forthright in expressing its displeasure. Making it clear that he disapproved of what the BJP president was reported to have said, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav pointed out that “many things can be said ... within the limits of decency”.