Beni Prasad Verma threatens to quit Congress if asked to stop attacking Mulayam

Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma on Thursday threatened to quit the ruling Congress Party if he is issued instructions by the high command to stop his criticism against Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

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"I can quit Congress any time or it can remove me...I can tender my resignation if Congress becomes an obstacle in my fight with Yadav," Verma told the media here.

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"But I like the Congress because of clean leadership of Soniaji," he added.

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Verma further said the Samajwadi Party has no answer to what he says.

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"Samajwadi Party doesn't have an answer to what I say.... saying I am mad and I smoke weed makes no sense," he said.

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Congress Party yesterday distanced itself from Verma's controversial remark on Mulayam Singh Yadav.

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Congress leader Jagdambika Pal said the ruling party at the Centre considers Mulayam Singh Yadav as a respected leader.

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"Our party spokesperson has very clearly stated that the Congress distances itself from his comment. The Congress Party considers Mulayam Singhji as a respected leader. If the party has distanced himself from his comment, then I think there is nothing to say on the issue," he said.

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Samajwadi Party leader Kamal Farooqi yesterday hit back at Beni Prasad Verma, and called him insane.

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"The kind of language, which Beni Prasad is continuously using, it is highly objectionable. It is for Congress to think whether such minister would continue with them or not. We are not in the habit of reciprocating the same because we believe in certain values, we don't believe in abusive. As far as Mulayam Singh Yadavji is concern, he is the most senior leader of the country," Farooqi said.

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"What can be said about an insane person who does not know how to behave and what language to use. It is very surprising and unfortunate that the Congress is not acting against him," he added.

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Verma earlier on Tuesday kicked up another controversy by saying that Mulayam Singh Yadav was not even fit to sweep the Prime Minister's residence.

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"Yadav wants to become Prime Minister. He should first try to get the job of a sweeper at the residence of the PM," he said at a programme in Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad district.

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The Union Steel Minister's comments may sour the relations between Congress and the Samajwadi Party.