Azam Khan makes "underwear" comment against Jaya Prada, sparks row
What's the story
The usage of foul language during electioneering hit a new low yesterday when veteran Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan made an "underwear" jibe, which the BJP said was made against actor Jaya Prada, fighting the Lok Sabha polls from Rampur against him.
Khan made the remarks without naming the actor, who is fighting as a BJP candidate from Rampur.
Read the details here.
What happened?
'Could recognize the underwear she wears is khaki colored'
Addressing the gathering in the election rally in Rampur, Khan said, " .. you got represented (by Jaya) for 10 years."
"People of Rampur, people of Uttar Pradesh and people of India, it took you 17 years to understand her reality. But, I could recognize it in 17 days that the underwear she wears is khaki colored," he said.
Reaction
Very obnoxious and shameful remark, said BJP's state unit spokesperson
The video of Khan's purported speech was also doing the rounds on various social media platforms.
Construing Khan's remark as having made against Jaya Prada, BJP's state unit spokesperson Chandramohan said, "It's a very obnoxious and shameful remark. The level of politics cannot fall lower than this."
"This remark by Azam Khan reveals the actual face of the Samajwadi Party," he said.
Criticism
NCW chairperson too said Khan's remarks are "extremely disgraceful"
The remark shows Azam Khan's real thoughts about women oblivious of all dignity," said Chandramohan.
The BJP also asked BSP supremo Mayawati to make her stand clear on "this indecent remark against Jaya Prada."
National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma too construed Khan's remarks as having been made against the actor and termed the same as "extremely disgraceful".
Information
Meanwhile, Khan offered to step back from elections
Sharma said the women panel will be sending a show cause notice to Khan soon. On the other hand, Khan has announced that he will not contest the Lok Sabha elections if anyone will prove that he named the actor-turned-politician in his "Khaki underwear" remark.