Gadkari sparks controversy with remarks about Lalu, Mulayam

Gadkari made the remarks while addressing a party meeting here. In a damage-control exercise later while talking to mediapersons, the BJP chief offered to withdraw the words if the two Yadavs felt bad. Gadkari lashed out at the SP, RJD and BSP for not supporting the NDA during the cut motion, alleging that they did so because of their "fear" of the CBI.

He said the two Yadavs "pretended to be lions" but later bowed down before the CBI. In this context, he also made some abusive remarks. Referring to Mulayam, Lalu and BSP chief Mayawati, Gadkari said, "they are in opposition, but in reality they are hand-in-glove with Congress." Mulayam and Lalu are "afraid" of CBI, he said and accused the investigation agency of "blackmailing Mayawati after which she changed her stance (on cut motion on price rise)".

Later, he told reporters that "I directly or indirectly never had any intention to indulge in loose talks, particularly about Mulayam Singhji and Laluji. I respect them as leaders."He said his use of the words against the two Yadavs while addressing a party meeting should not be "taken literally as that was never my intention and it was never in my mind". The Yadavs are "respectable leaders. If they feel something bad, then OK, no problem, I'll take my words back", Gadkari said.