MLA's remarks: BJP ministers say his apology is enough

BJP ministers in Maharashtra Friday defended MLA Ram Kadam, who is facing flak from various quarters over his "kidnap girls" remark, saying he had no "history" of making such comments and the issue should end with his apology.

Kadam, MLA from Ghatkopar in Mumbai, is under fire from the Opposition as well as BJP ally Shiv Sena over his remarks.

"Ram Kadam has apologised and the issue should end now. Kadam does not have a history of speaking ill of women. On the contrary, he is known for helping women immensely. Thousands of women in his constituency tie him rakhi every year," Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said.

At the same time, public representatives should be "extremely cautious" while speaking and "should properly frame every sentence in their heads before uttering them", Patil told a news channel.

TV channels should also try to report the real meaning of a statement, the senior BJP minister said.

"But if what the channels are saying about the remarks is right, the public representative should apologise. In this case, Ram Kadam was not arrogant and he apologised... So the matter should come to an end," Patil said.

Another BJP leader, Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde, said though the message which went out with Kadam's remarks was wrong, his apology showed he realised his mistake.

"Nobody tried to see what was the motive behind what Ram Kadam said. The message that went out was wrong and he has apologised for his remarks, which means he has understood (that it was wrong)," she said.

Kadam found himself at the Centre of a huge controversy following his comments at a Dahi Handi (Janmashtami) celebration in the city on Monday.

A video clip showed him saying that youngsters often seek his help after girls reject their proposals.

"Come with your parents. What will I do if your parents approve? I will kidnap the girl and hand her over to you," he was heard telling the crowd.

He apologised two days later, but also claimed that the video clip had been doctored by his "political rivals".

While opposition slammed him and demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis take action against him, the State Commission for Women asked for explanation from the MLA.

The Shiv Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', Friday likened Kadam to the 13th century Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji.