Focus on meaning, not the words: Jitu Patwari clarifies on controversial tweet

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 25 (ANI): Former Madhya Pradesh Minister and Congress leader Jitu Patwari on Thursday clarified his controversial "five daughters for a son" remark and asked people to focus on the intention and meaning behind the same.
The Congress leader had on Wednesday landed in a controversy over his tweet slamming the BJP for having given birth to "five daughters" -- noteban, GST, inflation, unemployment and recession -- in its bid to birth a "son" -- development.
"The intention behind the tweet was to raise the questions in the interest of the nation... People should not focus on the words I used but the meaning and intention behind it. I only intend to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work for the development of the country," Patwari told ANI here.
He said that the people of the country trusted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and give him a majority in hopes that inflation will come down and the country will move towards development.
"Who else will ask questions if not the opposition? If anyone was offended, I have expressed regret on Twitter. But the country now wants to know where the development is?" the Congress leader said.
Responding to BJP's criticism of his tweet, Patwari said that this is an opportunity for the leaders of the ruling party to do the same.
"They should criticise me. But they should also inform us about the impact of the development schemes launched by the ruling BJP. What is the condition of the economy? They have to answer," he added.
Patwari also targetted the BJP-led state government for the actions taken against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and others over the recent protest against the hike in fuel prices.
"BJP organises virtual rallies and gathers crowd flouting social distancing norms. No actions are taken against them. But when leaders like Digvijaya Singh and others organise any event, even with permission, actions are taken against them, and FIRs are registered," he said.
He said that are the traits of a government that is "scared of going out of power". (ANI)