Upendra Kushwaha clarifies ‘bloodshed’ remark

PATNA: A day after his ‘bloodshed’ remark, Union minister Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday took a U-turn and said he had warned that tampering with the result will lead to unrest among people.


“I have not said that it will lead to bloodshed. I had said that earlier we had heard of booth loot and now people are talking of EVM loot,” Kushwaha told to a section of media a day after his controversial statement. On Tuesday in a joint press conference of Mahagatbandhan, he had warned that any tampering with the result will lead to public anger and blood will then spill on the street.

NDA leaders slammed Kushwaha for his provocative speech and said the latter was using EVM tampering as an excuse for his massive defeat. BJP state president Nityanand Rai issued a statement in this regard and said that talking about bloodshed was unfortunate. “They (Mahagatbandhan) are frightened because of their defeat and are raising doubts on constitutional institutions. I was shocked after listening to his statements regarding bloodshed. Should politics be done ignoring ethics and principal?” read Rai’s statement.

JD (U) MLC Tanweer Akhtar demanded election commission (EC) to debar Kushwaha from contesting at least one election in future. “Election process is still going on and EC should take strict action against Kushwaha. In a democratic country, such a provocative statement should be condemned by all. He should not be allowed to contest next election,” said Akhtar.

JD (U) spokesperson Sanjay Singh dared Kushwaha in the same language, saying, “We are not wearing bangles. If the colour of your blood is red, same is ours. Don’t do any mistake, or else it will lead to problem.”

However, the leader of opposition in the state assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav came in support of his ally and said sentiment of Kushwaha’s statement should be considered. RJD MLC Subodh Rai also came forward in Kushwaha’s defence and said the latter had cited socialist leader Karpoori Thakur’s teachings.