Naresh Agrawal not new to controversy

New Delhi, March 12: Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal on Monday created a furore in the BJP minutes after joining it with comments belittling actor-politician Jaya Bachchan as someone “who used to dance in films”, remarks dubbed “unacceptable” by party leader Sushma Swaraj.

A couple of hours later, senior BJP leader and its most prominent woman face Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter to criticise Agrawal’s comments.

“Naresh Agrawal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable,” the external affairs minister tweeted.

Mr 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. The SP has again nominated Ms Bachchan to the Upper House.

He expressed his affection for SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, saying he could never leave them. Apparently criticising SP president Akhilesh Yadav, he added that it was losing strength in Uttar Pradesh due to its decision to ally with other parties. Mr Agrawal said he was joining the BJP unconditionally, and asserted that his MLA son would support the saffron party in the Rajya Sabha elections in the state.

The MP expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Welcoming him into the party, Mr Goyal said he would strengthen it.