Leader ridiculed in BMC House

Mumbai: The reverberations of the Ram Kadam issue were felt in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) house on Friday as all opposition parties, supported by the ruling Shiv Sena, ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for making controversial comments against women. They called for the registeration of a criminal offence against the Ghatkopar MLA in this case.

The issue was first raised by opposition leader Ravi Raja from the Congress, who demanded action against Mr Kadam. “Those who are saying ‘Beti Bachao’, are now saying ‘Beti Bhagao’. The BJP MLA has insulted women by making such lewd comments,” he said.

Mr Kadam found himself at the centre of a huge controversy following his comments at a Dahi Handi celebration in Ghatkopar on Monday. A video clip showed him saying that youngsters often seek his help after girls reject their proposals. “Come with your parents. What will I do if your parents approve? I will kidnap the girl and hand her over to you,” he was heard telling the crowd.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) group leader Rakhi Sawant said that her party has started an agitation at Chirag Nagar police station demanding action against Mr Kadam. However, due to pressure from the government, police have still not registered an offence against him, she added. House leader Yashwant Jadhav from the Shiv Sena, alleged that Mr Kadam’s party is dilly-dallying in taking action against him. It is sheer arrogance of power, he said.

The BJP group leader Manoj Kotak said Mr Kadam’s statement was deplorable, but since he is not a member of the BMC, there should not be any discussion on this issue in the house as it would set a wrong precedent in the BMC, he said.