BJP distances itself from VK Singh's 'presstitute' tweet

Minister took a swipe at media by saying the operation in Yemen was looking less exciting than going to Pakistan high commission for Pakistan Day celebrations

The BJP on Wednesday distanced itself from Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh's "presstitute" tweet. The Congress demanded that he be sacked.

"Tweets are personal. The way (words have been used is) best deciphered by the person who has tweeted," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra told the media about Gen. (retd) Singh's latest tweet which has triggered a fresh controversy.

Singh, who has been overseeing evacuation of Indians from conflict-hit Yemen, had reportedly commented that evacuation operation in Yemen was looking less exciting than going to Pakistan high commission for Pakistan Day celebrations.

As a section of the media reported the issue, Singh later tweeted: "Friends what do you expect from presstitutes..."

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala criticised Singh for his remarks and tweet. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should remove him.

"Is Mr Modi listening? Will Mr Modi wake up from slumber and sack him?" Surjewala said.

Party leader Manish Tewari said that Singh looks "out for publicity".

Leaders of Janata Dal-United and Nationalist Congress Party also slammed Singh.

Patra sought to put a lid on the controversy, and said that media was "the fourth pillar" in a democracy.

He said all the pillars of democracy have together to strengthen the country.