Nitish Kumar Wants BJP to Act Against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur's Pro-Godse Remark, Says 'It Shouldn't be Tolerated'
'It is condemnable. What action the party takes is their internal matter. We should not tolerate such a statement,' the Bihar CM said.
Patna, May 19: Amid the ongoing row over Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remark praising Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, Bihar Chief Minister and NDA ally Nitish Kumar issued a statement condemning her. The JD(U) chief said such remarks "cannot be tolerated" and demanded the BJP to act against their Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate.
"It is condemnable. What action the party takes is their internal matter. We should not tolerate such a statement," said Nitish Kumar, amid demands raised by the Opposition seeking the BJP to expel her. Godse Killed Gandhi, Pragya Thakur Killed His Soul: Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi
"Bharatiya Janata Party should think about such comments. We condemn such remarks," Nitish added.
The Bihar CM's condemnation comes a couple of days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah marked their stern apprehensions over the remarks issued by Pragya Thakur.
The Hindutva activist-turned-politician had stoked a row on being asked about Kamal Haasan's "Hindu terrorist" jibe against Godse. She had responded saying, "Nathuram Godse was a 'deshbhakt' (patriot), is a 'deshbhakt' and will remain a 'deshbhakt'. People calling him a terrorist should instead look within, such people will be given a fitting reply in the election."
As her statement grew flak, the BJP high command swung into action and asked Pragya to apologise. She adhered to the directive and apologised for her remarks, calling them her "personal views".
Amit Shah on Friday said Pragya has been given 10 days to explain before the party's disciplinary committee why action should not be taken against her.
PM Modi, in an interview to News24, said he will "never forgive" Pragya for her pro-Godse remarks.
Meanwhile, former Bihar CM and wife of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has cornered Nitish over the Godse controversy. "If you really have a problem with Pragya, then you should have quit the government and ended ties with the BJP," she said, accusing her JD(U) rival of indulging in theatrics.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 19, 2019 01:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).