BJP terms Shivpal Yadav's comments reckless

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday termed as "reckless and bizarre" the reported remarks of Uttar Pradesh PWD Minister Shivpal Yadav that hard-working officials can "steal a little".

Party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said remarks have been made by a leader who is uncle of the state chief minister.

"It is bizarre and reckless statement. He has suggested to officials that you can steal but not loot. He is uncle of Akhilesh Yadav, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh," Rudy said here.

Shivpal Yadav Friday back-tracked on his earlier statement in which he had reportedly told state government officials to steal but not plunder state coffers.

He alleged that there was a "strong and calculated political conspiracy" behind the "misinterpretation" of his statement in Etah and said that he never said anything like that.

At a meeting of the District Planning Committee, Shivpal Yadav had reportedly told officials: "Agar aap mehnat karoge to thodi bahut chori kar sakte hain, buddhi lagaoge, agar inhe meetha paani doge to chori kar sakte ho (If you work hard, you can steal a little bit)."