BJP Leader Says "Brahmins, Baniyas In Pocket", Apologise, Says Congress

The exchange took place between Rao Muralidhar Rao and some reporters at a press conference in Bhopal to announce the BJP's focus on marginalised communities

BJP leader P Muralidhar Rao's comment about the brahmin and baniya communities being in "my pockets" have triggered a huge row in Madhya Pradesh, with the opposition Congress demanding an apology and slamming the ruling party for "claiming rights (over these two groups)".

Mr Rao, who is a BJP General Secretary and the party's state-in-charge, has countered by attacking the Congress for "distorting" his response - a complete version of which can be heard in a three-minute video that has been widely circulated - to a reporter's question.

The BJP leader also accused the Congress of having "betrayed and divided all sections", and singled the GOP out for "injustice" because "if STs are backward, the only reason is the Congress".

The contentious exchange took place between Mr Rao and some reporters at a press conference in Bhopal to announce the BJP's focus on marginalised communities - "not as vote banks, but to address their concerns, like backwardness, (un) employment and (lack of) education".