A senior minister in the Yogi Adityanath Cabinet in Uttar Pradesh, Swami Prasad Maurya, has kicked up a controversy with his remarks that if Muslim men only for satisfying their lust keep changing their wives and leave their wives and children to beg on streets, then no one will call it a good practice.

Speaking at a function in Basti on Friday, Maurya said that his party, the BJP, stands with the Muslim women on the issue. "They use the practice of triple talaq on smallest issues to satisfy their lust and desire... The BJP will support Muslim women on banning the practice even if it means facing criticism from the Opposition and Muslim bodies," he said.

Maurya was a senior BSP leader close to its supremo Mayawati before switching camps ahead of UP Assembly elections.

Maurya always remains in headlines due to his controversial statements. He had openly charged Mayawati of selling tickets and had called Sheila Dixit a "rejected maal".

Maurya's strong statement on triple talaq has drawn flak from the Muslim leaders. Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali called it a personal attack on the members of the minority community. "We are shocked to see this ridiculous statement from a responsible minister," said Maulana Rashid.

The remarks come at a time when the BJP-led Central government is pushing for a ban on triple talaq with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urging Muslims not to view it from a political perspective.