Azam Khan, Samajwadi Party candidate for Rampur Lok Sabha constituency on Monday clarified that he did not make any objectionable remarks against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Jaya Prada.
Khan’s statement comes after he allegedly made a controversial remark against Prada while addressing a poll campaign. He said he will not contest the elections if anyone can prove that he named the actor-turned-politician when he made a remark, “…the underwear beneath is of the khakhi colour.”
“I will not contest the polls if proven guilty…I haven’t named or insulted anyone and I know what I should say,” Azam Khan was quoted by news agency ANI. “I was a nine-time MLA from Rampur and have been a minister. I know what to say,” the SP leader further added.
“I have said that people took time to know real face in reference to a man once said that he brought 150 rifles with him and if he sees Azam, he would have shot him dead. My leaders also did a mistake. Now, it has been revealed that he has an RSS pant on his body. Short is worn by men,” Khan told the news agency.
Khan further accused media of misinterpreting his comments, “I am disappointed. Media did not like me; I also did not like them. They have caused damage to the country,” the politician said.
A First Information Report or FIR has been filed against him in Rampur for “insulting” the modesty of a woman. While the National Commission of women has also sent a notice to the Samajwadi Party leader.
The Jaya Prada had won the Rampur Lok Sabha constituency in 2004 and 2009 on Samajwadi Party ticket.
The election for 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to be conducted in all seven phases. Eight seats in the state went to polls in the first phase on April 11. Rampur is voting in the third phase along with other constituencies including Moradabad, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Pilibhit, Badaun, Sambhal, Etah, Bareli and Aonla.
The results will be announced on May 23.
