'Deshvirodhi ... ': SP MP Ajendra Singh's inflammatory remarks on PM Modi sparks row; BJP terms him 'foul mouth'

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ajendra Singh's inflammatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked row on Monday with the Bharatiya Janata Party calling on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to take action against him."Disgraceful rant by Samajwadi Party MP Ajendra Singh. This reflects the debased and diseased mindset of the SP leadership. Does Akhilesh Yadav have the courage to take action against this foul mouth?" said BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan. He also shared the video in which Singh can be heard using foul language against the prime minister, while also labelling him a "deshvirodhi (anti-national)".Singh was criticising PM Modi's suggestion to people when he urged them to "buy less gold, reduce foreign travels and restrict fuel use" amid fuel crisis due to the tensions in the Middle East."The words used are so offensive that repeating them here would be disrespectful to the 140 crore people of India and the 23 crore people of Uttar Pradesh. At the behest of Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the broken cycle, Samajwadi Party leaders resort to abuses and objectionable language," said BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia.PM Modi on Sunday called on citizens to make lifestyle and consumption changes to help conserve foreign exchange and lessen the economic impact of the West Asia conflict and global energy crisis. Speaking at an event in Secunderabad, he urged people to reduce fuel consumption, use public transport and avoid unnecessary foreign travel, stressing the need for “collective restraint” and a “duty-first” approach amid rising energy prices and supply chain disruptions.