BJP distances itself from minister's 'presstitute' tweet

Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh's "presstitute" tweet created a political uproar on Wednesday with the Congress demanding his sacking. The BJP, however, distanced itself from his remarks.

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

As a section of the media reported on his remarks, Singh tweeted on Tuesday: "Friends what do you expect from presstitutes..."

With his remarks and tweet creating a controversy, Singh on Wednesday took a veiled dig at the media and said his comments had been misinterpreted.

"If simple remark that media finds Yemen less exciting than my attending PAK day is contorted out of shape then SOS GOD #Pressititutes," he said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra distanced the party from Singh's purported remarks and "presstitute" tweet.

"Tweets are personal. The way (words have been used is) best deciphered by the person who has tweeted," Patra told the media.

Patra sought to put a lid on the controversy and said the media was "the fourth pillar" in a democracy. He said all the pillars of democracy have to strengthen the country together.

Congress leader 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.

Congress spokesperson Khushboo said Singh's remarks were "disgraceful".

"Modi had used the word 'bazaru' (cheap) (for the media). And today his minister is using different word. Both have the same meaning," she said.

Khushboo alleged that Singh had used intemperate words for the present army chief. She also referred to Singh's controversial tweets after attending the Pakistan Day function in the capital last month.

Another Congress leader Manish Tewari said Singh looks "out for publicity".

Leaders of the Janata Dal-United and the Nationalist Congress Party also slammed Singh for his "presstitute" tweet.