Former Samajwadi Party leader and now BJP leader Naresh Agarwal expresses regret for his remarks on SP MP Jaya Bachchan.


Speaking to ANI, Agarwal said, "Agar meri kisi baat se kisi ko thes pahuchi hai toh main khed vyakt karta hun. I express regret if anyone has been hurt by my comments."


In his initiation ceremony at the BJP headquarters yesterday, Naresh Agrawal said that he was humiliated by the SP as he lost the Rajya Sabha election ticket to Jaya Bachchan.


"My status was reduced to that of a film actor. Because of her, the ticket was not given to me, which I did not find right. Films mein kaam karne wali se meri hesiyat kardi gayi, unke naam par humara ticket kataa gaya, maine isko bhi bahut utchit nahi samjha," he said.


He was welcomed at the BJP's Delhi headquarters by union minister Piyush Goyal, but the party was soon left acutely embarrassed by his attack on Jaya Bachchan in his first speech.


BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra immediately distanced his party from Mr Agrawal's remarks, saying the BJP respects people from all fields and welcomes them in politics.


Union minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "Shri Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachchan ji are improper and unacceptable."


Agrawal represents the Hardoi constituency at the Upper House, and at the expiration of his term, the party choose to field Bachchan from that seat.


Bachchan is a three-time MP and was first elected to the Upper House by the Samajwadi Party in 2004 till March 2006. She got a second term from June 2006 and was re-elected in 2012 for the third term. Her third term comes to an end on April 3.