Chhattisgarh Industries and Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma on Sunday sought a public apology to all tribal community members from former Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ajay Chandrakar for hurting the sentiments of the tribal community.
Chandrakar had dubbed Lakhma as an ‘Item Girl’ of the Congress cabinet.
Addressing the media with tribal MLAs Anup Nag and Santram Netam here, Lakhma said: “I am hurt by the term used by a senior BJP leader. Even the community members have been offended. The statement has been strongly condemned by tribal leaders.”
The Congress leader said: “I belong to a weaker section and a tribe. The Congress and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel have given me a chance to serve the state as a minister. Due to this, the ‘big’ leaders are having ‘stomach ache’.”
Tribal leaders across the state and MLAs will continue to object to the statement. The matter will also be taken up in the Assembly. The BJP will be taught a lesson on the issue, he said.