New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta sparked a political battle after a clip from her televised interview, in which she is referring to the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav as a “tap thief," went viral on social media. Reacting to the viral video, Akhilesh Yadav slammed the Delhi CM and announced that Samajwadi Party leaders will not participate in "News24" channel debates or any other shows.
The viral clip features news anchor Manak Gupta asking the Delhi CM to describe various political figures in one word. When asked about Yadav, she instantly replied saying, “Tap thief,” and laughed along with the anchor. The casual exchange, however, did not go down well with many, particularly members of the SP and those from the backward communities.
Have a look at it here:
Akhilesh Yadav's Response to CM Gupta's Remark
In response, Yadav condemned the remark at a press event, saying, “From today onwards, no SP spokesperson will go to News 24 channel.” He also alleged casteist bias, saying, “Anchor Manak Gupta was enjoying himself by calling the backward community 'tap thieves' while sitting with the CM of his own caste. He has deliberately shown his centuries-old casteist mentality. They have problem even drinking water.”
Have a look at his statement here:
Gupta also made controversial remarks about other leaders. She described Arvind Kejriwal as a “liar,” Atishi as a “fool,” Rahul Gandhi as “not a leader at all,” Priyanka Gandhi as “good for nothing,” and Kanhaiya Kumar as someone who would “break the country.”
Only Prime Minister Narendra Modi received praise, with Gupta calling him someone who “unites the country.”
