Katiyar’s ‘sexist’ remark invites trouble for BJP

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, January 25

BJP leader Vinay Katiyar’s offensive comment against Priyanka Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh chief Keshav Prasad Maurya’s first declaration and subsequent volte-face on a “grand Ram temple in Ayodhya” seems to be a sign of the saffron party not being on a solid ground in the state.

Katiyar’s observation that the BJP had “prettier campaigners” than Priyanka and his reference to Union Minister Smriti Irani has left the party leadership aghast and the Rajya Sabha MP devising his own defence.

He said Priyanka being a star campaigner for the Congress in UP polls would have no impact on his party’s fortunes as it has “more beautiful women star campaigners than her”. “It doesn’t matter...there are girls and women who are more beautiful than her (Priyanka) and are also star campaigners. Some of them are artists and heroines,” Katiyar said, adding: “I think Smriti Irani is beautiful and also campaigning.”

In his defence, Katiyar said he was only responding to reporters’ queries. “I had just said that Priyanka is beautiful but others are beautiful too,” he said.

Maurya’s statement on Ram Mandir, which he today retracted saying it had been misinterpreted, is an indication enough of changing dynamics in UP following the SP-Congress tie-up. Maurya was yesterday quoted as saying that a grand temple would be built in Ayodhya if the BJP secures a majority in the UP polls. “Ram Mandir is a subject of faith. It is not going to be built in two months. The temple will be constructed after the elections. BJP will come to power with full majority,” he said.