Bista clarifies Vijayvargiya `misstatement' - had been deliberately taken out of context "by some" to create a controversy.

SNS, 30 March 21, Darjeeling: MP Raju Bista has said that a statement made by top BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya in Kurseong in Darjeeling yesterday had been deliberately taken out of context "by some" to create a controversy.

The national general secretary of the party, Mr Vijayvargiya had yesterday said that the central and the state governments would together work towards granting tribal status to 11 communities "of Nepal."

He was apparently referring to the long-pending demand for such status for 11 Gorkha communities living in India, something the BJP has promised to grant.

"This is being done because TMC and their minions do not have any other agenda to pick against BJP. They are trying to hide TMCs deep-rooted hatred for Gorkhas by politicizing one misstatement by a BJP leader," Mr Bista, who is also one of the national spokespersons for the BJP, said in a release today

"Kailash Ji has already issued a statement to the media and clarified that he meant no malice, and has apologized for any misunderstanding or hurt caused to our people. He has already stated that he has deepest of respects for the Gorkha community and salutes Gorkhas contribution towards our nation building," he added.

According to Mr Bista, "our people" are well aware of the fact that the BJP respects Gorkhas and that the BJP is the only party that is committed to ensure justice for the Gorkha community.

"I want to once again assure our people that his statement was unintentional and he is deeply apologetic for any misunderstanding caused," he said.