New Delhi: Shiv Sena on Thursday joined issue with Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on his "money can buy anything'' remark on televised video clippings showing NSA Ajit Doval interacting with local Kashmiris.
Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut said, "such statements are not the right thing to do".
"I wonder why Mr. Azad remained silent when young students pelted stones on the Army. If Azad is saying money can buy anything, does he mean the same thing about Congress leaders like Milind Deora, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Janardan Dwivedi, and Bhubaneswar Kalita?" Mr. Raut said.
Triggering a huge controversy, Mr. Azad, also a former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, said, "Paisey deke aap kisi ko le sakte ho (You can get anyone's support for money)".
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The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya was asked to comment on NSA video showing NSA Ajit Doval interacting with Kashmiri people during his visit to Srinagar.
A host of BJP leaders Ram Madhav, Sambit Patra, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, and Amit Malviya have lashed out Mr. Azad for his remarks.
"I strongly condemn Ghulam Nabi Azad's statement. Such statements usually come from Pakistan. Mr. Azad should immediately tender an apology as Pakistan will misuse his remarks," BJP leader and spokesman Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters.