Naresh Agarwal seems to have started off on a wrong foot. The Rajya Sabha member, who joined the BJP today, was scolded by Union Minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj for his derogatory remarks against actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan.
Agarwal, who was inducted in the party at its New Delhi headquarters, embarrassed BJP with his acerbic remark on Bachchan.
‘Films mein kaam karne wali se meri hesiyat kardi gayi, unke naam par humara ticket kataa gaya, maine isko bhi bahut utchit nahi samjha. Meri koi shart par nahi aya, koi Rajya Sabka ki ticket ki maang nahi hai (I have been compared with those who dance and work in films. I am not here on the condition of Rajya Sabha ticket),’ Agarwal said.
The statement left BJP red-faced with spokesperson Sambit Patra immediately distancing the party from Agarwal’s statement.
Just hours after his induction in the party, Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter to slam him for his remark.
‘Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable,’ she said in a tweet.
While talking to media, Agrawal also expressed his affection for SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, but said the party's strength in Uttar Pradesh has depleted.
He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah and claimed that the people of his community were solidly behind the saffron party.
Agrawal also said that his MLA son will vote in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls.
Agrawal's term as Rajya Sabha member is ending on April 2. Bachchan has once again been nominated to the upper house by the Samajwadi Party.
His remarks in the House mocking Hindu gods had sparked an uproar last year.
