A controversy has erupted in Hastinapur (Uttar Pradesh) over the candidature of actress-model Archana Gautam (Great Grand Masti). Soon after the Congress named her as the party’s candidate from the Hastinapur constituency, bikini-clad pictures of her started surfacing on social media. The Hindu Mahasabha has said that her candidature from the “ancient, holy city” has hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus and Jains, many of whom consider it a pilgrim place. It has asked the Congress to withdraw her name or face protest.
The BJP’s west U.P. vice president said, “I have nothing against any profession or individual, but a party must be careful what message its actions will convey to the general public at large.”