Sakshi Maharaj draws flak for opening ‘nightclub’

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sakshi Maharaj has courted a controversy by inaugurating a ‘nightclub’ in Lucknow.

As photos of the saffron-clad leader at the venue in the posh Aliganj locality of the State capital on Sunday night drew criticism and ridicule, the MP claimed that he was “tricked” into attending the event and demanded that the police take action against the “culprit".

The owner of the establishment, Sumit Singh, claimed that it was not a nightclub but a restaurant where no liquor or non-vegetarian food would be served. He claimed that there was a “typographical error” in the invitation card.

Photographs showing the 62-year-old Unnao MP accepting an idol of Lord Ganesha were posted on the social media while TV channels too aired the visuals of the event.

MP ‘unaware’ of event

Mr. Maharaj's representative, Ashok Katiyar, claimed that a senior BJP leader “tricked” the MP into attending the function.

“The MP was to leave for Delhi but a senior office-bearer of the party took him to the function saying that it was organised by his close relative,” Mr. Katiyar said.

Even after reaching the venue, Mr. Maharaj was not told that he had to inaugurate anything and was made to do it all of a sudden, Mr.Katiyar claimed, adding that it could also be a part of “some conspiracy".

“Since 2019 elections are just round the corner, MPs do attend events, and making inquiries about all the things does not always look nice,” Mr. Katiyar said.