Prasad refuses to say sorry, Opp walks out

The Opposition walked out of Rajya Sabha today as the government refused to bow before its demand that Information and Broadcasting Minister...

The Opposition walked out of Rajya Sabha today as the government refused to bow before its demand that Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad apologise for his remarks against Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman refused to expunge the said remarks, saying that there was nothing ‘‘deregatory’’ in them, even as the stalemate concerning a debate on the Prime Minister’s statement on the Judeo tapes remained unresolved for the second day.

BJP leaders accused the Congress of ‘‘being unnecessarily touchy about Prasad’s remarks’’ and said they ‘‘were trying to put Sonia Gandhi on a pedestal’’. Balbir Punj (BJP) said the Congress had double-standards. ‘‘You can criticise the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, but when we retaliate and speak against the Leader of Opposition, why are you so sensitive?’’ he said.

Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee, who led the protest walk-out, said they had expected a reply from the government on the Prasad issue. But O. Rajgopal, MOS, Parliamentary Affairs, said the question of apology did not arise as Prasad has already clarified that he meant no disrespect to Sonia while referring to her in connection with the Jogi tapes.

Independent member, Swaraj Kaushal, was also of the opinion that the Congress should forget the matter, as the minister has already clarified his stand.

The Congress did not disrupt the House proceedings any further but spokesman Satyavrat Chaturvedi told mediapersons that the party will continue to demand an apology from Prasad.