By IANS,
Lucknow: Acting on reports that Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi allegedly made some disparaging remarks against Chief Minister Mayawati at a rally, officials are examining the video clips of her speech. Joshi denied making any comments against anyone.
Some local TV channels Thursday reported that Joshi made the remarks while addressing a gathering Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district, some 200 km from Lucknow.
The Basti district magistrate has asked senior officials to study the video clippings of the speech and ascertain what exactly Joshi said.
After this, it would be decided whether any legal action would be taken or not against Joshi.
According to sources, Basti District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar has rushed to Lucknow to “explain the issue” to other senior government officials here and also give a status report of the probe.
Contacted by IANS, Pankaj Kumar declined to speak about the matter. “It’s a matter of enquiry. As of now, I cannot divulge anything related to the matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, Joshi convened a press conference here to clarify that she had “not made any indecent remarks against any individual, including Mayawati”.
“I have not made any disparaging remarks against Mayawati. I just commented on her statues she is installing in parts of Uttar Pradesh. I have not made any personal remarks against her,” she said.
“I think my comments have been distorted… I had said kali kali murtiyan (dark statues) and have not once made any remark on the chief minister’s colour,” she added.