Omprakash Babarao Kadu ruffled a lot of feathers through his bizarre remark.
Keyur Seta
Independent MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) from Maharashtra, Omprakash Babarao Kadu’s recent comments against actress and MP (Member of Parliament) Hema Malini ruffled a lot of feathers. Rubbishing Congress leader Narayan Rane’s theory that excessive drinking leads to farmers’ suicide, Kadu mentioned that even Malini drinks heavily but hadn't committed suicide.
Speaking at an event in Nanded district, he said, “75 per cent of MLAs, MPs, journalists drink. Even Hema Malini drinks heavily. But have they committed suicide?” His remarks instantly sparked a controversy and he started trending on social media, but for the wrong reasons.
Now, the veteran actress has reacted on Kadu’s statements. Speaking to a daily, she said that the MLA was trying to gain mileage and publicity. “God save him,” she said, while refusing to comment further.
The MLA further delved into a bizarre explanation for the reason that excessive spending in children’s marriages has landed some farmers in debt. "All these reasons are nonsensical. Gadkari spent Rs4 crore for his son's wedding. So should we now wait for him to commit suicide?" he said.
Kadu further said that the real cause behind these suicides is lack of money.
Also known as Bacchu Kadu, the MLA isn’t new to controversies. He was arrested last year for allegedly assaulting an official at Mumbai’s state secretariat. In 2006, he and his supporters reportedly climbed a water tank and threatened to jump in order to get the Centre’s attention to the plight of Marathwada’s farmers. Incidentally, this is the replica of a scene from Malini’s Sholay (1975).
