The BJP on Tuesday attacked Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath for being “impolite” with their senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi in the Lok Sabha.
Senior BJP leaders Joshi and Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj criticised the minister for his “manner of speech” and lack of “politeness” and told him that the House cannot function under such circumstances.
Nath withdrew his remarks to defuse the situation that threatened to turn ugly.
After repeated disruptions, as the House met at 2:30 p.m., Joshi got up and demanded Speaker Meira Kumar to ask the minister to correct his manner of speech. “We are ready for debate (on Food Bill).. but he came to me and said this is your responsibility to run the House. What is this way. No minister has spoken to me in this manner in the last 40 years,” a visibly agitated Joshi said.
Joshi was referring to Nath’s remark to him after the House was adjourned following protests by the TDP MPs on the Telangana issue. Nath had walked up to Joshi, during the adjournment, to say that it was also the BJP’s responsibility to run the house. Joshi took umbrage at Nath’s “rude” way.
Nath explained he had gone to the Opposition benches like he has been doing always to discuss with them. “I asked them what should we do... I said the House is not only ours but yours also... I said this in anger. I respect Joshiji, he is our senior leader. If my anger has caused any hurt, I withdraw it,” the minister said.