Naresh Agrawal joins BJP with a remarks against women

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AMN / NEW DELHI

naresh agrawall RSNaresh Agrawal, a powerful Samajwadi Party leader today joined the BJP here with a controversial remark against women, that forced his new party to issue a disclaimer.

“I have been compared with those who dance and work in films,” said Mr Agrawal, referring to Jaya Bachchan. Mrs Bachchan, an actor-turned-politician, was picked last week by the Samajwadi Party as its nominee for the one Rajya Sabha seat the party can win in elections this month. The terms of six of its Rajya Sabha MPs from Uttar Pradesh is ending, but a debacle in assembly elections last year means that Akhilesh Yadav can send back only one.

Naresh Agrawal lost that race to Jaya Bachchan and stomped out of his party of two decades to join the BJP. He was welcomed at the BJP’s Delhi headquarters by union minister Piyush Goyal, but the party was soon left acutely embarrassed by his attack on Jaya Bachchan in his first speech.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra immediately distanced his party from Mr Agrawal’s remarks, saying the BJP respects people from all fields and welcomes them in politics.

“Shri Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable,” Ms Swaraj has tweeted.

Naresh Agrawal is known to make controversial comments, including one that mocked Hindu gods and which created an uproar in parliament last year.

“Whatever work the BJP gives me I will accept it. We will do seva for the BJP. I promise to deliver fully,” Mr Agrawal said in his speech today, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah. He also spoke fondly about Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, but said the party’s strength in Uttar Pradesh has depleted.

Naresh Agrawal said that his son, a Samajwadi Party legislator in Uttar Pradesh, will vote in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections.