Woman MP in tears over Naidu remarks

A woman Congress MP in Rajya Sabha on Thursday broke into tears following an adverse remark by senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, who expressed regret over it later.

When Naidu was speaking during the debate on FDI in retail in Upper House, Prabha Takur said “you should also tell about Purti” apparently referring to controversy over Purti Group of companies belonging to BJP president Nitin Gadkari.  

Irked by this, Naidu made some comments against the member, which triggered a clash between Naidu and members from the treasury benches. The Chair adjourned the House briefly for 10 minutes.

As soon as the House re-assembled, Thakur was seen in the well with tears. Her party colleagues were meanwhile shouting against Naidu over the remark saying, “We want justice.”

Though the remark was immediately expunged by the Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, Congress members demanded action.

Naidu retorted saying that he would not succumb to any “bullying.”

At that moment, Thakur left the House, while Naidu continued his debate. Minutes later, he expressed regret.

“If the member Prabha Thakur is upset over my remarks, which have hurt her, I express my regret. It was not deliberate,” Naidu said, earning the praise of Kurien.

“I applaud the member. This should be the attitude,” Kurien said while noting that there were no rules whereby the Chair could direct any member to apologise.