Amid controversy over his ‘khaki underwear’ remarks allegedly against Jaya Prada, Samajwadi Party candidate Azam Khan has said that the comments he made were against a man and that if was proven guilty he would not contest in the 2019 general elections.
Khan, speaking to ANI said:
“I was a nine-time MLA from Rampur and have been a minister. I know what to say,” Khan said amid outrage over his remarks.
Reports suggest an FIR was registered against Khan for his comments.
In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Khan can be heard saying, “Rampur waalon , Hindustan waalon , uski asliyat samajhne main aapko 17 baras lage. Main 17 din mein pehchaan gaya ke inke neeche ka jo underwear hai woh khaki rang ka hai (People of Rampur, people of Uttar Pradesh and people of India, it took you 17 years to understand her reality. But, I could recognize it in 17 days that she wears a khaki underwear.)”
Khan is contesting from Rampur on a ticket from the Samajwadi Party against Jaya Prada who is the BJP candidate.
The BJP alleged that the remarks were indeed made against Jaya Prada.
“It’s a very obnoxious and shameful remark.”
“The level of politics cannot fall lower than this,” said the BJP spokesperson.
“This remark by Azam Khan reveals the actual face of the Samajwadi Party in which he is expressing his real thoughts about women oblivious of all dignity,” said Chandra Mohan.
The BJP also asked BSP supremo Mayawati to make her stand clear on “this indecent remark against Jaya Prada.” The BSP and SP have joined hands to contest the Lok Sabha elections together.
National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma also construed Khan’s remarks as having been made against the actor and termed the same as “extremely disgraceful”.
She said the women panel will be sending a show cause notice to Khan.
(With PTI inputs)