BJP attacks Tejashwi Yadav for his 'Atiq ji' remark

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav triggered a controversy after he referred slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed as 'Atiq ji' during a media interaction.

''It is not the death of Atiq ji, but the death of law that has taken place in Uttar Pradesh,'' Yadav had said, according to news agency PTI.

Reacting to Tejashwi Yadav's statement, the BJP said it was an attempt to appease the Muslim vote bank.

BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh said Tejashwi Yadav should 'hang photographs of the don in his office'.

''I would suggest that the Bihar chief minister and deputy chief minister should hang photos of the PFI (Popular Front of India) and dons in their cabins,'' the Begusarai MP said.

''Earlier, Congress leader Digvijay Singh had referred to Osama Bin Laden as Osama ji. They can do anything for votes,'' he said.

''They have not uttered a word on the murder of Umesh Pal, why are they in pain now?'' Singh added.

Atiq Ahmed (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj for a checkup.

(with PTI inputs)