Sakshi Maharaj asked to explain controversial remark: Shahnawaz Hussain

BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday said the party's Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj has been asked to explain his controversial remarks.

"Maharaj has indeed been asked to explain his controversial remarks that a Hindu woman should give birth to at least four children," Hussain said. Indicating that Maharaj's remarks have not gone down well with the BJP leadership, Hussain asked all party leaders to refrain from making contentious statements which could provide a handle to the opposition to attack the NDA government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah have directed party leaders to toe the party line while speaking at public forums, he said.

Speaking on the political situation in Bihar, Hussain exuded confidence that the BJP-led NDA would sweep the Assembly elections to be held later this year as the electorate do not want the return of 'Jungle Raj' in the state, referring to the the 15 year rule of RJD.

"I think the Bihar Assembly polls will be a cakewalk for us and an one-sided affair," Hussain said. "Nobody wants the return of jungle raj in Bihar," he said and took a dig at the JD(U)-RJD merger talks saying former chief minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad were desperate for the merger to revive their fading hope of another term in power.