New Delhi: An ugly verbal exchange between Union Minister Smriti Irani and Congress President Sonia Gandhi that took place on Thursday in the Lok Sabha escalated the situation.
After the Lok Sabha was adjourned at 12 p.m. due to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” statement, BJP MPs reportedly raised a slogan and demanded Sonia Gandhi’s resignation.
President Droupadi Murmu had previously been referred to as “rashtrapatni” by the Congress leader.
Sonia Gandhi reportedly met BJP leader Rama Devi and repeatedly told her that Chowdhury had apologised for the comment and had questioned Devi about why her name was being used in the house.
Smriti Irani intervened during their conversation. But the enraged Congress President swung around and said, “Don’t talk to me,” sources said. The verbal spat between the two leaders lasted for two to three minutes.
Several ministers, including TMC MP Mahua Moitra, NCP’s Supriya Sule, BJP’s Pralhad Joshi and Arjun Meghwal, came forward to decide the situation.
Congress MPs Geeta Kora and Jyotsna Mahant have claimed that Smriti Irani and even some male BJP MPs have misbehaved with Sonia Gandhi.
On the other hand, female BJP parliamentarians are expected to move a privilege motion against Sonia Gandhi. According to the top brass of the BJP, the party will not sit silent and continue to ask Sonia Gandhi to apologise over the remark.
