Indore, PTI: Amid rising Covid-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh, state home minister and BJP leader Narottam Mishra on Wednesday caused a flutter saying he doesn't wear a face mask in any programme.
However, as he came under attack, the minister first tempered his remarks, saying he cannot continue to wear a face mask for a long time due to a medical condition. He later apologised for his remark and promised to wear a mask for protection from Covid.
"I don't wear a mask in any programmes. so what?," the home minister had told reporters when they asked him why he was not wearing a mask at a function in Indore, which is the state's worst affected district.
Mr Mishra was in Indore to participate in a programme for distribution of assistance under the state government's Sambal Yojana, which provides social security cover to the poor and the SC and ST communities.
However, Mr Mishra's cabinet colleagues Tulsiram Silawat and other BJP leaders, who also attended the event, were wearing masks.
The Congress launched a pointed attack, asking are Covid-19 norms meant only for the common people.
"Is there anyone who has the courage to take action against him (Mr Mishra). Are rules only for common people?" Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesman Narendra Saluja tweeted.
As his remarks drew fire, the home minister told reporters in Bhopal, "I normally wear a mask but I can't sport it for a long time, as I am suffering from Polypus and if I wear a mask it leads to suffocation".
