Lakhimpur Khiri: Taking a U-turn from his earlier remarks calling farmer leader Rakesh Tikait 'Do Kaudi Ka Aadmi', Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni while replying to a volley of questions posed by reporters, said that Rakesh Ji's stature is not below par. Clearing the air regarding his controversial remarks, Teni said, "Rakesh Tikait Ji is not a person of this level. Some people have been trying to create confusion."
A video of the Union Minister had gone viral on social media earlier wherein he was heard calling farmer leader Rakesh Tikait 'Do Kaudi Ka Aadmi' at his Lakhimpur office on Tuesday. Teni made some controversial and degrading comments about the farmer leader. Refuting the allegations leveled against him, he said that he has not done any wrongdoing to date. Ajay Mishra, who is the Member of Parliament from the Kheri Lok Sabha constituency, had accused Tikait of 'being a leader who thrives on controversies'.
Also read: Tikait retaliates to minister Teni remark, says son lodged in jail makes him angry
Teni's apology came after Kisan Mahapanchayat was organized at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday. Farmer leaders also demanded the removal of Teni from the ministry. Teni's son Ashish Mishra is the prime accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri case wherein a total of 8 people were murdered during the countrywide farmers' protests. Teni has never answered media questions addressing his son.
