Angry BJP set to boycott ‘indecent’ Nirupam on TV
SATURDAY, 22 DECEMBER 2012 00:00 PNS | NEW DELHI / MUMBAI
The BJP will boycott Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam on TV news channel programmes as a mark of protest against his “indecent and derogatory” remarks about its Rajya Sabha member Smriti Irani. On a TV programme on Gujarat poll outcome, Nirpuam had questioned Irani’s credentials 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”.
The BJP is agitated over Nirupam’s remarks against Irani, who also heads its Mahila Morcha. “No BJP spokesperson will go for a debate on any news channel where Nirupam is participating,” BJP’s chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said. Describing as “most unfortunate and painful” the remarks by Nirupam, Prasad said he crossed “all limits of decency and decorum”. Prasad said being a woman, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi must apologise for her MP’s derogatory remarks and take action against him. He threatened protests against Gandhi in case she does not oblige. 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. Meanwhile, BJP workers staged a protest against Nirupam in Mumbai. Activists of BJP’s youth and women’s wings took out a morcha and demanded an apology from Nirupam. Around 300 BJP cadre participated in the procession which concluded at Nirupam’s office in Borivili.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/117238-angry-bjp-set-to-boycott-indecent-nirupam-on-tv.html
INDIA TODAY ONLINE NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 21, 2012 | UPDATED 14:07 IST
Sanjay Nirupam comes under attack for his personal attack on BJP MP Smriti IraniCongress spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam created a controversy making personal attacks on TV actress-turned-politician Smriti Irani during a debate on a TV news channel on the issue of Narendra Modi's hat-trick of victories in Gujarat on Thursday. Nirupam's outrageous remarks evoked sharp reactions from other politicians and common people.
During the debate on ABP News, Nirupam said, "Char din hue hain aur aap rajnitik vishleshak bani firti hain (It's only four days of your entry into politics and you have become a political analyst). Aap toh TV pe thumke lagati thi, aaj chunavi vishleshak ban gayi (Till some time ago you were dancing on the TV screens and now you have become a psephologist)!"
He further attacked Irani citing her personal life. Nirupam's controversial statements came during a heated duel as he tried to play down Modi's achievement. He wanted Irani to listen to his comment, however, Irani was insisting that Nirupam had forgotten his past. She attacked Nirupam, saying it was stint in the Congress that had changed him as he was a different leader in his earlier days of politics while being in Shiv Sena.
Slamming Nirupam for his statements, Irani said it was leader like him who promoted rowdiness among youth.
Journalist-cum-politician Shahid Siddiqui, who too was part of the debate, remained silent all this while. He opened up against Nirupam's remarks on Friday and demanded his apology.
"I was also in that debate. Sanjay Nirupam commented on Smriti Irani. What he commented was obnoxious. He should apologise. If we parliamentarians will behave in this way, then how can we expect the others to behave," Siddiqui asked, adding, "If we parliamentarians will not respect women then rape cases like what happened in the past will keep on happening."
Micro-blogging site Twitter was flooded by people's reactions slamming Nirupam.
Journalist-cum-politician Pritish Nandy tweeted: "Best thing about TV debates is they reveal more about those on screen than the subject discussed. Case in point: Sanjay Nirupam."
"Not surprised with @sanjaynirupam's sexist remark on @smritiirani. It's in the party's culture. He needs some MNS treatment very soon," Shármistha Tháckeray tweeted.
Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sanjay-nirupam-smriti-irani-crude-remark/1/238811.html