Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Days after joining hands against the ruling BJD over the alleged detention of RD Women’s University students, the Opposition Congress and BJP Monday came face to face over remarks made recently by food supplies and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Das Burma on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Assembly.
BJP legislators strongly reacted to Das Burma’s remark on Modi during a debate in the Assembly on the Centre’s perceived neglect of the state and staged a walkout from the House. Raising the issue during zero hour, Rabindra Naik of BJP demanded the minister’s apology for his comments and urged the Speaker to expunge the remarks from the proceedings of the House. Naik said since Modi is not a member of the House, nothing on him should be discussed on the floor.
During the debate on a motion on central negligence, Das Burma had referred to the “Rs 10 lakh suit of Mr Modi” and described the Centre’s BJP-led NDA government as “suit boot ki sarkar”. The minister had said that Modi was getting his suit stitched in London.
However, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra supported the minister and said: “Although it is wrong to make any comment against a person not present in the House, it does not mean that the members cannot criticise the prime minister”. Mishra said uncharitable comments made by any member would not be acceptable.
The “suit boot ki sarkar” comment, said Mishra, has nothing objectionable. “The prime minister who represents the people of the country will be criticised if he wears a `10 lakh dress,” said Mishra, adding that he and his party supported the minister for his comment.
After Mishra’s remarks, Rabindra Naik and other BJP legislators urged the Speaker to allow them to speak on the mater, but the Speaker did not pay heed and instead asked the minister to reply to the debate on the admissibility of the adjournment motion on paddy procurement.
Aggrieved at the Speaker’s attitude, the BJP members walked out in protest and did not participate in the discussion on the adjournment motion.
