Rahul episode not a party affair: Venkaiah

Chennai, June 6 (UNI) The episode involving late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan's son Rahul was not a party affair and there was no question of the BJP's image taking a beating, party senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu said today.

Asserting Mr Rahul Mahajan had never joined the party, Mr Naidu, talking to newspersons here, dismissed as 'wrong' the reports that he had participated in the recent BJP national executive meet.

Mr Rahul had visited the venue during the lunch break only to meet some party leaders, Mr Naidu clarified.

''I am really surprised that reports suggested that the BJP's image has taken a beating because of the episode involving Rahul Mahajan,'' he said.

''As a colleague, we have respect for Mr Mahajan and are concerned about his family. We feel sad about the episode. I don't have anything else to say on this,'' Mr Naidu said.

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