Skirt comment: Ex-BJP members want Mahesh Sharma out of Cabinet

A day after local MP and Union minister Mahesh Sharma’s remark asking foreign tourists to avoid wearing skirts, two former BJP workers, who were expelled following a tiff with Sharma, wrote to the PM seeking his expulsion from the ministry.

Former local BJP members of Greater Noida, Kapil Gurjar and Atul Sharma, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday seeking immediate ouster of Sharma from the cabinet.

“He has made a terrible statement suggesting foreign tourists to avoid wearing skirts. This has not only hampered India’s reputation in the world but will also have an adverse effect on the tourism industry. Prime Minister is doing well and such ministers are ruining his image. He should expel him from the cabinet as soon as possible,” said Atul Sharma, former BJP leader and in charge of Sharma’s elections campaign in Greater Noida.

The two also accused Sharma of using foul language on several occasions. “He used foul language against the Gurjar community and party workers. He has come in the politics on monetary power and lacks the connect with common people. If the PM does not expel him from the cabinet soon, he will bring more humiliation to his government,” said Kapil Gurjar.

Sharma, however, accused the two former members of working at the behest of rival political parties and said, “I did not say anything wrong. I suggested foreigners to follow the dress code at religious places and small hamlets.”

“These former members were expelled as they were working on behest of other political parties. Their only agenda is to attack me. I know what they want and I am least bothered about their complaints,” he added.

During a function in Agra on Monday, Sharma had urged foreign tourists in India to avoid wearing skirts. His remark drew him flak from all over. However, he maintained that he was misquoted.