I take back my words: Gadkari on 'Sonia's dogs' remark

Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Gadkari on Thursday expressed regret over his comments against Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, claiming it was 'taken out of context'.

On Wednesday, Gadkari reportedly said Lalu and Mulayam were 'like dogs who went back to (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi', referring to their decision to not vote against the United Progressive Alliance government during the cut motion in Parliament.

In a hastily summoned press conference, Gadkari said, "I am taking my words back. I didn't mean to insult Lalu or Mulayam; I was simply using a proverb."

The BJP chief had been strongly criticised by the Congress, SP and RJD for his comment. However, he claimed that the press had quoted him "out of context".

The Congress on Thursday slammed the BJP president for using 'highly derogatory language'.

"It is highly derogatory language. But we are not surprised.  Soon after Gadkari was made BJP president, it was said that his stature was not of a national politician. He is justifying this impression with this kind of language," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said.

Another party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan termed Gadkari's remarks as "shocking and outrageous", and said he should apologise to the nation for bringing politics to such a low.

Furious SP members protested against the comment and burnt effigies of Gadkari in Lucknow on Thursday.

Some SP leaders said the party was mulling legal action against the BJP chief over his comment.