PATNA, Sept. 24 -- Senior BJP leader and former MP Rama Devi stirred controversy when she struck a dissenting note, expressing her displeasure over party tickets allegedly being sold while speaking at a function in Patna; an audio clip of which went viral. As TV news channels and social media aired the news about her utterances, the former MP backtracked, denying having referred to "money" in issue of party tickets, while talking to the Hindustan Times. "I did not refer to the use of money in the issue of tickets. Motri (a small bundle, sack, or pack) kagaaz ki, vikas ki, sochi ki, bojh ki ho sakti hai, kuch bhi ho sakti hai (A small bundle of sack can be one of papers, of progress, of thoughts, of burdens, it can be of anything). Where did I refer to money?" she asked this reporter. Devi is purportedly saying in the viral audio clip, "Aaj ki duniya mai, jo ye sarkar ho ya besarkar ho, paisa ki duniya hai, jisska motri bhari hai ussko ticket milega...Jitna paisa aata hai usska aadha kharch hota hai, aadha loot hota hai, aap bhi jaante hai, hum bhi jaante hai, par wo gareeb anpadh log nahi jaante hai (In today's world, whether it is the government or the Opposition, it is all about money. The person with a heavier purse will get the ticket. Of whatever money comes in, half is spent and the other half is looted. You know it, and I know it too, but the poor and illiterate people do not know it)." Devi also denied that she was aggrieved with her party and said she had never sought a ticket for any of her family members. "I am not going anywhere. My party is very good and I am happy with it.," she said, refusing to spell out her future plans. Devi's resentment was clearly targeted at her baiters who ensured she was denied a party ticket during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state. Devi was a BJP MP from Sheohar for three terms (2009-2024). She was an RJD MP from Motihari between 1998 and 1999 before being a legislator from 2000 to 2005, during which she was a minister in the Rabri Devi cabinet. Her husband, Brij Behari Prasad, a former science and technology minister, was killed in a shootout in Patna on June 13, 1998. BJP distanced itself from Devi's statement, saying it was her personal comment. BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi's personal assistant said the leader was busy in a meeting. Revenue and land reforms minister Dilip Jaiswal, a former state BJP president, did not respond to calls. However, TV channel News 18 quoted him as saying, "If there's anything to it, I will talk." BJP state media head Danish Eqbal said, "Rama Devi is our senior leader and we respect her. As of now, we don't know what she said and where she said it. If what you are saying is correct, it is her personal belief and everyone has the right to have a personal opinion." (With inputs from Sandeep Bhaskar)...