'Sakshi inaugurates night club'

During his sermons, Sakshi Maharaj may be asking people to keep away from all kinds of intoxicants and follow the path shown by the religion but his own deeds seem to indicate otherwise.

The saffron leader and BJP Lok Sabha member from Unnao triggered a controversy after he allegedly inaugurated a hookah bar and nightclub in Lucknow on Sunday, at a time when his constituency has been rocked by a case of rape.

As the pictures of the saffron-clad Hindutva leader at the venue in the posh Aliganj locality of the state capital on Monday night drew criticism and ridicule, the MP claimed that he was "tricked" into attending the event, which had harmed his image and demanded that the police take action against the "culprit".

However, the owner of the establishment claimed that it was not a nightclub but a vegetarian restaurant where no liquor would be served. He claimed that there was a "typographical error" in the invitation card.

"The MP was to leave for Delhi but a senior office bearer of the party took him to the function saying that it was organised by his close relative," MP's representative Ashok Katiyar said.

Even after reaching there, he was not told that he has to inaugurate anything and was made to do it all of a sudden, Katiyar claimed, adding that it could also be part of "some conspiracy".