Only used Telangana proverb, says Bandi Sanjay after women’s commission grilling

HYDERABAD: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Telangana President Bandi Sanjay on Saturday clarified that he did not make any derogatory comments against BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha. The Karimnagar MP, who was summoned by the Telangana Women’s Commission, attended a hearing session at the commission’s office in Hyderabad.

Speaking to the media outside after nearly three hours of questioning, Bandi Sanjay said that his statement was recorded as part of the hearing and that he answered all the questions posed to him. He also clarified that he did not pass any derogatory comments against anyone while claiming that the BJP respects women to the core. Ruling out any disrespect towards women, he said that he had only referred to a benign proverb that is most commonly used in Telangana.

Bandi Sanjay courted controversy big time recently when he commented, “Should the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) kiss Kavitha instead of arresting her in the Delhi liquor scandal?” The comments sparked outrage and protests across Telangana by the BRS rank and file. Effigies of Bandi Sanjay were burnt even as the BRS leaders demanded his immediate arrest for his uncouth behaviour.

Complaints were also lodged against the BJP Telangana chief in several police stations in the state. The Telangana Women’s Commission too reacted seriously to Sanjay’s controversial comments. Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the commission summoned the Karimnagar MP for a hearing at its office on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Bandi Sanjay arrived at the Women’s Commission office in Hyderabad, accompanied by a large number of BJP leaders including women activists. Claiming that Sanjay was innocent, the women activists expressed their solidarity with their state president. Sanjay wanted the hearing to take place in the presence of his advocate but the Women’s Commission did not allow the BJP state chief’s lawyer inside its office.