Vijayvargiya on bat incident: PM Modi’s scolding will help Aakash's political career improve

The MLA had defended his action and refused to apologise. He was arrested and later released on bail by a court in Madhya Pradesh.

Kailash Vijayvargaiya

New Delhi: Days after video of senior Bharatiya Janta Party MLA Aakash Vijayvargiya thrashing a civic official with a bat was condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his father Kailash Vijayvargiya has termed the statement made by PM as a learning for political career. In an interview to Nai Dunia, senior BJP leader said “For me Modiji is like a father and for Aakash, he is like godfather and his scolding is very significant for Aakash’s political career”. He further declined the rumours of resignation on social media. PM Modi’s stern message to BJP leaders: Condemning action by Aakash Vijayvargiya, PM Modi on Tuesday said, “Arrogance and misbehavior cannot be tolerated”. According to sources, he told the BJP parliamentary party meeting that "whoever it may be, whoever's son he may be.. such arrogance, misbehaviour cannot be tolerated" and action should be taken against them.  "Manmaani nahi chalegi," he said in Hindi, meaning one cannot get away with doing whatever he or she wishes. Speaking to reporters, BJP MP and spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy quoted Modi as saying that such conduct was "totally unacceptable". Asked if the prime minister also suggested disciplinary action, he answered in affirmative. "He said if somebody behaves in such a way, then action should be taken against him. He made his feelings clear," Rudy said. Sources said Modi also made a reference to BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya's brazen defence of his attack on officials with a cricket bat with the boast "pahle nivedan, phir aavedan, phir danadan" (first request, then application, then attack), saying such a conduct is unacceptable. "If somebody commits a mistake, there should be a sense of regret as well," he said. The MLA had defended his action and refused to apologise. He was arrested and later released on bail by a court in Madhya Pradesh. Party sources said Modi also disapproved of the fanfare with which BJP leaders received him after he was released from jail and suggested that the party will take action. The prime minister said BJP leaders have toiled hard for generations to bring the party success and such arrogance brings it a bad name.  The MLA's father was in the meeting when Modi deplored the incident.