Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development Prahlad Patel has clarified his stand on the recent statement in which he called people beggars. In an interaction with media in Jabalpur, Patel said the event, in which he made the statement, was organised neither by his party nor by the government.

He said it was an event organised by his community and that he made such remarks on previous occasions, too, and would continue do so. Making efforts to help his own community become self-sufficient is hardly a criminal act, Prahlad said.

MPCC president Jitu Patwari should tender an apology for putting his party and its leadership in the dock, Patwari said. Several Congressmen were also present at the function where he had made the remark, Patel said, adding that Patwari should act against his own party men. “My statement has been wrongly presented. My full speech should be heard,” Patel said.

Congress to stage sit-in on Wednesday

The Congress is going to stage a sit-in in the district headquarters on Wednesday. Chairman of Congress media committee Mukesh Nayak said the party would demand Patel’s resignation. Ministers are insulting the people, Nayak said, adding that they are not getting anything from the government, but the ministers are calling them beggars.