SP's Naresh Agarwal stands by 'Rand' remark

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal on Saturday stood by his 'Rand' remark, and asserted that his statement was used as an idiom to throw light on the Bharatiya Janata Party's trends.

"I have not said anything wrong. I used the idiom as an example. I did not aim my comment on any one person, I said it in reference to the entire BJP. Modi, himself, attacks Mulayam Singh and calls the Prime Minister a chor (thief). He calls our leaders corrupt. So, it is them who are targetting individuals, not us," Agarwal said in his defence.

"I have not used unparliamentary language. I always use parliamentary language. What I have said is correct and I maintain my stand," he added.

Earlier today, National Commission of Women (NCW) chairperson Mamta Sharma said the commission would send a notice to Agarwal to explain his indecent remark about women.

On Friday, while taking a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, Agarwal sparked off a controversy by saying: "Hamaare gaon mein kahawat hai, rand se ashirwad lene jaao, woh kehti hai hamaare tarah ban jaao. Yehi BJP ka haal hai-woh kehte hain, humari tarah ban jao." (There is an idiom used in my village that says when someone goes to take blessings from a 'rand', she asks the person to become like her.