Sanjay Nirupam passes derogatory comments against Smriti Irani, furious BJP takes to streets

Mumbai, Dec 21 (PTI) BJP workers today staged a protest against Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam for his reported derogatory remarks against TV actor and BJP member Smriti Irani.

Activists of BJP's youth and women's wings took out a morcha and demanded an apology from Nirupam for his remarks against Irani, who is also a Member of Parliament.

Around 300 BJP cadres participated in the procession which concluded at Nirupam's office in suburban Borivili.

Nirupam made an irresponsible statement at a time when crimes against women are rising and there is anger among people, a BJP functionary said.

He made the controversial remarks yesterday during a debate on a news channel on the Gujarat Assembly election results. The Congress MP questioned the credentials of Irani to analyse poll results given her background as a TV actress.

He reportedly said "till some time ago you were dancing on the TV screens and now you have become a psephologist."

BJP activists protest Nirupam's remarks against Smriti Irani

BJP workers today staged a protest against Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam for his reported derogatory remarks against TV actor and BJP member Smriti Irani.

Activists of BJP's youth and women's wings took out a morcha and demanded an apology from Nirupam for his remarks against Irani, who is also a Member of Parliament.

Around 300 BJP cadres participated in the procession which concluded at Nirupam's office in suburban Borivili.

Nirupam made an irresponsible statement at a time when crimes against women are rising and there is anger among people, a BJP functionary said.

He made the controversial remarks yesterday during a debate on a news channel on the Gujarat Assembly election results. The Congress MP questioned the credentials of Irani to analyse poll results given her background as a TV actress.

He reportedly said "till some time ago you were dancing on the TV screens and now you have become a psephologist."

Cong disapproves of Nirupam's remarks against Irani

Congress today disapproved of its MP Sanjay Nirupam reportedly using defamatory and indecent language against BJP MP Smriti Irani during a TV debate, saying it was "very regrettable".

BJP upped the ante on the issue saying its spokespersons and leaders will not attend news channel debates in which he is participating.

Nirupam had reportedly used defamatory and indecent language against Irani during a TV debate when the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh election results were pouring in yesterday.

"This is very regrettable. To say such a thing is unfortunate. It is this mindset, which we have to fight," Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary said here.

BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Nirupam "has made anti-women comments and BJP strongly condemns it. Nirupam is a Congress MP and his party is headed by a woman, yet he has made such derogatory remarks. We expect Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take action against him and apologise herself".

The BJP leader warned that in case Gandhi does not do so, party workers may hold protests against her.

"The kind of language and choice of words by Nirupam in a news channel debate against Irani, who is our Mahila Morcha chief and MP as well as an established TV actor, is most unfortunate and painful. He crossed all limits of decency and decorum," Prasad said.

Irani is in the process of sending a legal notice to Nirupam for this "gross defamation" and the party is exploring the legal steps that can be taken against him.

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