Words used for Ordinance on convicted lawmakers inappropriate, but sentiments right: Rahul Gandhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday admitted that the words he used to describe the government's Ordinance on convicted lawmakers were probably inappropriate, but emphasized that his sentiments were right.

"My mother (Sonia Gandhi) told me that the words that I used were strong. In hindsight, I feel maybe my words were wrong...but the sentiment I felt was not wrong," he told media here today.

Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to Gujarat from today during which he is expected to hold a meeting of office-bearers of district and block committees of his party, and will also hold discussions with the members of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee.

The UPA Government yesterday decided to withdraw a controversial ordinance that protects convicted parliamentarians.

The reversal of policy was cleared at a short Cabinet meeting last evening, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

"Having regard to the various concerns, which have been expressed in relation to the validity and advisability of the proposed Ordinance seeking to amend the Representation of People's Act, the Cabinet has decided to withdraw the proposal for promulgating the Ordinance as well as the Bill," said a Cabinet release.

In a major embarrassment to the ruling UPA, Rahul Gandhi had earlier on September 27 dubbed the ordinance to negate the Supreme Court verdict on convicted lawmakers as 'complete nonsense', and said it should be torn up and thrown away.

"I personally think what the government is doing on the ordinance is wrong. It was a political decision, every party does it, and there is a time to stop this nonsense," he had said.