Naresh Agrawal can't hold his tongue, says lost to 'filmon wali' for RS seat

Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal joined the BJP on Monday with controversial comments on actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan, saying he did not find it right that Samajwadi Party (SP) chose one who "dances in films" over him for the lone Rajya Sabha post.

His comments came at a press conference, in BJP Headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to welcome him to the party, but BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, who was present along with Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, was quick to distance from it saying his party respects people from all walks of life, whether it is from film world or any other sector.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also found Aggarwal's comments outrageous and tweeted, "Naresh Agrawal has joined BJP. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachchan ji are improper and unacceptable."

Jaya, known for her sensitive portrayals in Silsila, Abhiman and Sholay among others, was renominated for the lone Rajya Sabha seat which the SP could win while Aggarwal, whose term ends on April 2, was left high and dry by the SP.

"They compared me with 'filmon mein kaam karney waali'(one who works in film). The ticket was denied to me in the name of one who dances in film, does roles in films. I did not find it right," Agrawal said in the presence of Goyal and Patra.

However, Agrawal's comments led to an abrupt end to the press conference, as reporters pounded him with questions on his controversial remarks.

"Whatever I have to say, I have said" was what Agrawal said as uncomfortable BJP leaders tried to wind up the conference.

Agrawal is known for making controversial remarks ranging from calling former Naval officer Kulbhushan Yadav, who is in Pakistan jail, a terrorist to making derogatory comments against communities and other leaders.