Lord Ram or foreign leader, who is big? asks minister

Raipur, Mar 10 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Revenue, Culture and Tourism Minister Brij Mohan Agrawal today asked opposition Congress members to spell out as to whom they considered as ''more important -- Lord Ram or their foreign-born leader.'' The minister was replying to the debate on the budgetary demands of his departments in the Vidhan Sabha, amid boycott by the opposition Congress legislators.

Congress legislators boycotted the House, demanding action against Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ramvilas Vedanti for his alleged derogatory remarks against Congress President Sonia Gandhi during a religious congregation.

''These Congressmen remained silent when the existence or Lord Rama and Ram Sethu was questioned. When someone made a remark about a foreign woman, opposition Congress are up in arms. Who is important? Lord Ram or your foreign-born leader,'' he asked.

Referring to the Congress demand for action against former BJP MP Ramvilas Vedanti during the Rajim Kumbh, the minister said the state government did not have any control as so what someone would say during the programme.

''Vedanti Maharaj had already expressed regrets. Even I have expressed regrets over the incident,'' he said, adding that despite that the opposition Congress was raking up the issue for their narrow gains.

Mr Agrawal said the Congress seemed to be concerned only about their political interests and not over the state's development.

After the minister's reply, the house passed the budgetary demands of his departments.

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