BJP downplays Sakshi Maharaj's controversial remarks

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak on Wednesday avoided commenting on Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj's controversial remarks, saying senior leaders should not make such comments, as the party believes in the ideology of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'.

"Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party should avoid making controversial statements. The Bharatiya Janata Party believes in 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' and this is the ideology of our central leadership and our party. The comments should be made as per the party's policy," Pathak said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi said such controversial remarks disturb the amiable atmosphere in the society.

"There is a competition giving on in the Sangh family to come up with such remarks.....The people give controversial remarks and disturb the environment of society and then take security," she said.

She added that people, who come up with such statements, should be punished.

Address a gathering on the occasion of Sant Samaagam Mahotsava in Meerut earlier on Tuesday, Sakshi Maharaj had said the concept of four wives and 40 children will not work in India and added that the time has come when a Hindu woman must produce at least four children in order to protect Hindu religion.

The BJP MP, who was earlier at the centre of a controversy when he described Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a 'patriot', emphasized that it is necessary for Hindus to increase their progeny to protect the religion.