Sexist remark against Hema Malini, Madhuri: Minister sacked

Lucknow, April 14: Rajaram Pandey, the Khadi and Gramodyog minister, has been sacked over his sexist remark against

actresses such as Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday, April 13 asked Pandey to leave his post following his remark against the actresses. According to sources, Pandey triggered the controversy by allegedly promising to get roads in Pratapgarh district constructed like cheeks of actresses Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit.

Confirming the news, a notification signed by chief secretary Javed Usmani said, "Governor BL Joshi in consultation with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has relieved minister Raja Ram Pandey from his post from this evening."

Akhilesh Yadav, who is already holding charge of 61 departments, has been given the additional charge of Khadi and Village industry.

Pandey's statement evoked sharp criticism from political parties and social organisations. Earlier similar kind of remark came from former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav.

However, the RJD chief had denied all allegations against him and said, "I have often been lampooned by the media for making foolish statements."

"I was attributed a statement that Bihar's roads would be made like the cheeks of Hema Malini. However, this statement was originally made by a former PM, and he played the mischief and somehow attributed the statement to me," added Yadav.

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