CG-MINISTER-VIDEO

"Hold collar of SP, collector to become big leader": Minister
    Raipur, Sep 9 (PTI) A Chhattisgarh minister courted
controversy after a video of him, in which he is heard
purportedly saying he had advised a boy to "hold the collar of
SP and collector to become a big politician", surfaced on
Monday.
    Commercial Tax (Excise) and Industry Minister Kawasi
Lakhma had reportedly made the remark during Teachers Day
celebration on September 5 in a government school in Sukma
district headquarter of the state.
    Taking a dig at his alleged comment, a BJP leader
congratulated Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, saying His
minister used good words for the executive"
    In the video, the Congress minister is seen sitting
among schoolchildren and heard narrating some recent incident
of interaction with students.
    Lakhma is heard saying to some people who were not in
the frame, that once he was asked by a student how he become a
"big leader".
    "The boy asked me `how I became a big politician and
what he had to do (to become a political leader)'. I told him
to hold the collar of SP (superintendent of police) or
(district) collector, he is heard saying in the video.
    Students and others were seen laughing after his
comment.
    However, when contacted, Lakhma claimed he had been
"misquoted" and had never mentioned about holding the "collar
of SP or collector".
    "I visit schools and ashrams to meet students and ask
them what they aspire to become.
    "Once when a student asked me what he should do to
become a leader like me, I told him to study well and then
fight for the public cause on the street and do hard struggle.
    "The statement of holding the collar of SP and
collector, which being shown, is fake. I told him to struggle
hard to become a leader, Lakhma told PTI over the phone.
    The video was shared by former minister and BJP MLA
Ajay Chandrakar on Twitter who sarcastically wrote
congratulations to Bhupesh Baghel ji. Your minister has used
good words for the executive.
    "It would be better if you (CM) send him to Kurud
(Chandrakars constituency) so that he can re-inaugurate
public works dedicated by me. This will strengthen the
democracy, Chandrakar tweeted. PTI TKP
RSY RSY

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from a PTI feed.)