Law Minister Salman Khurshid, who invited controversy yesterday with his statements against Arvind Kejriwal, tried to defend himself saying he was being unfairly judged for his comments.
“Even if we sigh, our image is tarnished. But others get away with murder (hum uff bhi karte hain toh ho jaate hain badnam. Woh katl bhi karte hain to charcha nahin hota),” Khurshid was reported as saying.
Referring to the demands made by Kejriwal, the minister also said that people did not mind when someone demanded the Prime minister to step down or 15 Union ministers to resign.
“It is fine when they demand my resignation or arrest of my wife (Louise),” Khurshid told PTI.
Khurshid also said that somebody had sent him a message saying he holds me in high esteem.
Please forgive me? Khurshid has attempted to play down the statements he made yesterday. AFP
“… But as law minister, how can you say such a thing. I said to him when it was being said publicly that your law minister should be arrested, you never sent message saying you stand by me,” Khurshid said.
The statements by the law minister came after a video clip of a meeting organised by him in his constituency of Farrukhabad was aired on television channels in which he was heard making statements that could be interpreted as veiled threats to Kejriwal.
“I have been made the Law Minister and asked to work with the pen. I will work with the pen but also with blood,” Khurshid is heard saying in the clip.
“He can go to Farrukhabad but he should also return from Farrukhabad..” the minister was seen telling his supporters amidst loud cheers and catcalls.
Kejriwal had dismissed the statements by the Law Minister and said he would continue with his plan to hold a rally in the minister’s constituency in Farrukhabad on 1 November. Kejriwal is seeking the minister’s resignation over allegations of financial mismanagement in an NGO headed by Khurshid and his wife.
With inputs from PTI
