Even as the BJP Mahila Morcha intensified its protests against Agriculture Pradeep Maharathy for allegedly making objectionable remarks against women, Maharathy on Wednesday refused to apologise.
BJP women’s wing activists on the day staged a dharna in front of the Minister’s official residence here and some of them also tried to barge into his house. However, the police personnel deployed there prevented them.
“We have come here to seek clarification from the Minister’s wife over his derogatory comments on women. Since his comments have hurt the entire women community, his wife, as a woman, should first explain how he could stoop so low to make such irresponsible statements,” a BJP activist said.
However, Maharathy said he hasn’t done anything wrong and won’t apologise. He said his comments have been twisted and he was deeply pained over the developments in the last two days.
BJD Mahila Morcha president Pramila Mallick said she hasn’t heard what the Minister said. Only after hearing that, she would be in a position to comment.
Notably, Maharathy had earlier triggered a storm by his statement against BJP MLA Radharani Panda.