Soon after joining the BJP quitting the Samajwadi Party, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal ensured that he made headlines with insensitive comments against his former party colleague Jaya Bachchan. Agrawal, who lost out to Bachchan in the race for re-nomination to the upper house, said the SP denied him the RS ticket and gave it to somebody who used to dance and act in films, in an apparent reference to Bachchan. "For somebody who used to dance in films, act in films, I was denied a ticket (for Rajya Sabha). I did not find it appropriate," Agrawal said while joining the BJP at its headquarters.
However, the Rajya Sabha MP's comments did not go down well with Union ministers Sushma Swaraj and Smriti Zubin Irani. "Naresh Agrawal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable," senior BJP leader and its most prominent woman face Swaraj tweeted.
Shri Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 12, 2018
Irani, who also appeared to be critical of Agrawal's remarks, said when a woman's honour is challenged, "we stand as one in our condemnation irrespective of our politics". She did not, however, directly mention Agrawal. "My case is in the court of law for 5 years now. But let my battle not be an excuse to humiliate other women. In fact, let it be a reminder for us that when a woman's honour is challenged we stand as one in our condemnation irrespective of our politics," she said in a tweet.
My case is in the court of law for 5 years now. But let my battle not be an excuse to humiliate other women. In fact let it be a reminder for us that when a woman’s honour is challenged we stand as one in our condemnation irrespective of our politics. https://t.co/beneLYVHnk
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) March 12, 2018
Distancing the BJP from Agrawal's comments, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said it respects people from all fields and welcomed them in politics.
The derogatory comments also created a furore minutes in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Agrawal, who was in the Congress earlier, is not new to controversy. Last year, the BJP was up in arms over his remarks in the upper House mocking Hindu gods.
His term as Rajya Sabha member ends on April 2.
(With inputs from PTI)