BJP members create ruckus in UP Assembly over 'derogatory' remarks against PM Modi

Demanding that certain "derogatory comments" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan be expunged, BJP members today disrupted the proceedings of the state Assembly leading to a brief adjournment of the House during Question Hour.

As the House was discussing law and order issues, the state Parliamentary Affairs Minister in an apparent reference to PM Modi said, "It is an irony that the 'badshah' of the country does not keep his mother with him and goes on gifting things to enemy's mother. He talks of 'beti bachao' (save daughters) but left his own wife."

The comments were an apparent reference to PM Modi gifting a shawl to his Pakistani counterpart's mother on the latter's visit to India during the PM's swearing-in-ceremony in 2014. PM Modi had also sent a saree for Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's mother.

BJP members took strong exception to the comments and rushed to the Well, demanding that the Speaker expunge the "derogatory words" from the proceedings. The minister, however, said the country wanted to know who were inside the room when the 'badshah' was giving birthday wishes (to Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan).

Even after Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey's assurance that he will look into the matter, BJP members did not return to their seats.

Earlier, BJP member Suresh Kumar Khanna wanted to know from the Samajwadi party-led state government about the response of '1090 women helpline' when the Bulandshar rape incident took place on 19 July. He said had the helpline responded properly, the incident would not have happened.

-PTI