Congress on Wednesday disapproved ofSalman Khurshid's controversial remarks daring Arvind Kejriwal to protest in his parliamentary constituency even as the opposition slammed the Union minister saying Farrukhabad is not his ‘fiefdom’.
Activists of Kejriwal-headed India Against Corruption (IAC) and a journalist were meanwhile allegedly manhandled in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh by some persons when they were conducting a survey regarding allegations of financial irregularities in a trust run by Khurshid.
"Everyone should choose words carefully," Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters when asked to comment on Khurshid's controversial remarks against Kejriwal.
Congress had on Wednesday downplayed Khurshid's remarks with party spokesman Rashid Alvi saying that he was not aware of the details of what the minister had said. Khurshid represents the Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency.
Khurshid had said, "Let them come and visit Farrukhabad. But let him also return from Farrukhabad." This was seen as a murder threat by the activist.
Opposition parties had also protested against the remarks while Kejriwal said the Congress leader was acting like a ‘mafia don’.
Criticising Khurshid for his remarks, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said, "I do not consider appropriate what he said. Farrukhabad is not his fiefdom. It's a free country. Anybody can go to come back from anywhere."
"Khurshid is Law Minister. He should not make such remarks," said Yadav, who is also the convener of the NDA.
In Farrukhabad, a Delhi-based journalist Abhinandan Mishra and members of IAC led by their local convener Laxman Singh were allegedly manhandled and stones were pelted on them when they were returning from Pitaura, native place of Khurshid in Kayamganj area this afternoon, sources said.
The IAC members claimed that they have informed senior police officials about the incident.
When contacted, Additional Superintendent of Police O. P. Singh said he has been informed over phone about the incident and has asked the journalist and IAC members to lodge a written complaint.
The matter would be probed and the required action would be taken against those found guilty, he said.