PM's 'raincoat' comment a satire on UPA: Ananth Kumar

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday downplayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'raincoat' jibe at his predecessor Manmohan Singh, saying it was a "satire" on the working of the UPA government.

Asked about the comment, which led to protests in both houses of Parliament on Thursday, the last day of the first half of the Budget session, the minister said: "Even today both houses functioned... Such comments are always made, it has been happening for last 70 years."

"These satires are a part of parliamentary proceedings... The Prime Minister actually appreciated Doctor Sahab (Manmohan Singh) and made a satire on the working of the UPA government. I hope everyone will understand that," he said.

Prime Minister Modi, replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on Motion of Thanks to the President's Address on Wednesday, made a comment on Manmohan Singh and said: "There is a lot for us politicians to learn... so much happened he did not get even a taint. Only Doctor Sahab (Manmohan Singh) knows the art of bathing wearing a raincoat."

The comment created an uproar with Congress members staging a walkout from the house even before the motion was passed.

Meanwhile, asked if the three bills on the Goods and Services Tax will be brought in the second half of the Budget session, Ananth Kumar said government "hoped" so.

"The GST Council is meeting on the 18th (February), the outline of the bill will be finalised after that. We are hopeful that the three bills will be brought in Parliament in the second half of the session," Kumar said.

Talking about the first half of the Budget session, the minister said the Lok Sabha worked 113 per cent of its allocated time, while the Rajya Sabha lagged behind at 97 per cent.

"The Rajya Sabha till Wednesday had worked 100 per cent, but after the protests today, it came down to 97 per cent," the minister said.

The second half of the Budget session will start on March 9 and conclude on April 12.

--IANS

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