Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 29: Commenting on the alleged reference to a woman MLA of the Opposition BJP as ‘Radhe Maa’, senior BJD leader and Cooperation and Excise Minister Damodar Rout Saturday said such comments are made in a lighter vein and should not be misconstrued as derogatory.
“Humorous remarks are sometimes made by legislators and there is nothing to be serious about them,” said Rout in his interaction with journalists outside the Assembly.
“Members of the House should remain prepared for any debate or discussion in the House. In the past also members of the House used to make such comments,” he added.
Earlier, BJP MLA Radharani Panda had accused BJD member Ranendra Pratap Swain of taunting her as ‘Radhe Maa’ during the Zero Hour Thursday when Panda was speaking on the alleged negligence of Orissa’s western region and had openly supported the agitators who observed a bandh demanding creation of a separate Koshal state by bifurcating Orissa.
BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain criticised Panda for her open support to the division of the state and called her “Radhe Maa”. Panda had the next day complained to the Speaker about the incident. “Since BJD conducts its politics with the help of god-men and women, they have developed the attitude to make such statements. I denounce Swain’s remarks,” She told reporters outside house.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress, BJP Legislature Party Chief Basant Kumar Panda and BJD woman MLA Rajashree Mallick were among legislators who also denounced Swain’s statement.
Radhe Maa is a self-professed god-woman from Mumbai, who was in the news recently for her alleged indecent behaviour.