lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Apr 22, 2019 18:47 IST

Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader and actor-politician Jaya Prada on Monday hit out at Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan’s son Abdullah for calling her ‘Anarkali’.

Talking to ANI, Prada said, “It is natural for a son to speak the same language as his father does. Abdullah has groomed in the atmosphere of his father Azam Khan, it was obvious for him to speak the same language. But I am very disappointed with Abdullah’s statement who has grown in front of me. He is seeing Anarkali in me it is very unfortunate. It is very offensive and I condemn his statement.”

“It is not about only Jaya Prada but maybe he thinks of every woman as Anarkali,” she added.

Abdullah Azam Khan, who is also an SP leader, without taking Jaya Prada’s name, said, “Humein Ali Bhi Chahiye, Bajrang Bali Bhi Chahiye Lekin Anarkali Nahi Chahiye.” (We want both ‘Ali’ and ‘Bajrangbali’ but not ‘Anarkali’)

The BJP leader further said, “I appeal to the people that I need respect, I am fighting for the respect of people, particularly women. I have been demoralised by comments of Abdullah and Azam Khan...I appeal to people of this nation to teach a lesson to them so that they can shut their mouth.”

Criticising the SP leader, she said, “Azam Khan and his supporters want to create division in voting but it is not possible. The youth of the country is with me and this nonsense will not be continued further.”

On being asked about her comments on Azam Khan and BSP chief Mayawati, Prada said, “I have not said anything wrong about Mayawati, I respect her, she is also a woman. I was hoping that Mayawati will support me when Azam Khan made a derogatory statement against me but she misunderstood my words.”

“I have not said anything wrong in that, but still, if she filed a case against me for my statement then I am to reply,” she added.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)