Congress protests against PM's remarks, Renuka wants privilege notice

The Congress on Thursday protested inside and outside the Rajya Sabha against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's jibe at its leader Renuka Chowdhury, demanding an apology and also hinting that the opposition party may bring a privilege notice against the Prime Minister.

Soon after Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu condoled the death of former member Frida Topno and completed the important business of the House, Congress members rose from their seats and started protesting against Modi's remarks on Chowdhury's laughter.

Naidu asked the agitating members not to disturb the proceedings of the House but the Congress continued with their protests.

"It is totally unbecoming, undemocratic. Go back to your seats... You want the House to be adjourned?" he said, adding: "I have no option other than to adjourn the House."

He then adjourned the House till noon.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Congress women MPs met Naidu and registered a complaint against the Prime Minister. The delegation demanded that Modi tender an apology as his remark against Chowdhury was anti-women.

Addressing reporters after meeting Naidu, Chowdhury said: "I have decided to move privilege notice against the Prime Minister on this issue. I will speak to my party and then decide how to move forward.

"I am a mother of two daughters and a wife. The Prime Minister has denigrated the status of women."

Congress' Kumari Selja told the media: "All women MPs of Congress met the Chairman and demanded an apology from the Prime Minister."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader D.P. Tripathi advised the Congress not to drag the issue but said his party would go with the Congress if it takes any decision.

"For the opposition's unity we will be with the Congress, whatever decision they take," Tripathi said.

Modi on Wednesday took a dig at Chowdhury over her loud laughter at his claim that the idea of Aadhaar was conceptualised during the (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee government.

"Chairman sir, don't stop Renukaji. Ever since seeing Ramayana serial, for the first time I have got an opportunity to see such a laughter," Modi said, to thumping from the treasury benches.

While replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, Modi said that the Congress keeps saying we brought Aadhaar prompting Chowdhury to laugh at his claim.

--IANS

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