Agencies, New Delhi Terming as ‘’regrettable and condemnable’’ Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma’s reported remarks against Samajawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, the BJP today asked the SP to withdraw support from the Congress-led UPA government.
‘’The language used by Congress minister Beni Prasad Verma is regrettable and condemnable,’’ BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters. ‘’If a slight self respect is left in the Samajwadi Party, then they must show courage to withdraw support from the Congress-led UPA government,’’ he said. Mr Verma at a gathering at Kutubganj Bazaar in Gonda district yesterday reportedly said ‘’the SP chief has links with terrorists and he harbours notorious criminals.’’ Mr Verma’s statement against Mr Yadav disrupted Parliament proceedings today.
In the Lok Sabha, Mr Yadav said, ‘’If I am a terrorist and the government has evidence against me, let it put me in jail, else the irresponsible minister be sacked.’’ Intervening on the matter, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said, ‘’The remark is condemnable. Be it member from the ruling side or the Opposition, we must refrain from such statements.’’ The Samajwadi Party has been providing outside support to the UPA government.
