'No question of Sadhvi Niranjan resigning, says Venkaiah Naidu

Despite proceedings in parliament being brought to a standstill today over Sadhvi Niranjan's derogatory remarks, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said there was no question of the former resigning.

"There is no question of Minister (Niranjan Jyoti) resigning at all. Let the Congress Party remember what they did with regard to Beni Prasad Verma," Naidu told media persons here.

Naidu also reminded the Congress Party about hate speeches made by its leaders.

"Congress's Beni Prasad Verma had made irresponsible, indecent remarks against several people, never took back his words nor apologized. Dr. Manmohan Singhji, who was then PM, expressed regret and we closed the matter," he said.

Members of the opposition staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha today over the Minister of State (MoS) for Food Processing Industries' objectionable remarks. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned till 2:37 pm over the issue.

The Sadhvi had on Monday used abusive words to urge voters to choose between candidates, while addressing voters in west Delhi's Shyam Nagar. Her choice of words had garnered strong criticism from various political parties.

Jyoti later tendered an apology in the both the Houses of Parliament for her controversial remarks and said that she did not intend to hurt anybody by her statement.