New Delhi, Nov. 11 -- West Bengal BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari has defended her remarks claiming that bursting firecrackers helps kill germs and viruses, accusing her critics of deliberately twisting her statements to garner television ratings and online views. She later apologised for her comments and offered to withdraw them.

Adhikari said her remarks about firecrackers during Diwali and Kali Puja were based on traditional beliefs passed down by previous generations.

"Whenever I say something, people who oppose me use it to increase their TRP and views. Even if I cough or sneeze, the 'seku-maku' (a Bengali slang referring to secularists and Marxists) pick it up," she reportedly told a Bengali television channel.

"What I meant was that bur...