Not polite to to ask that ordinances be torn: Rahul

Rahul Gandhi, whose strong denunciation of Government's ordinance on convicted lawmakers saw it being junked at the last moment, today said he has learnt that it is "not polite" to ask that ordinances be torn and thrown into the dustbin.

Gandhi's remarks made in a lighter vein drew instant applause from the audience comprising mostly of the business community at FICCI.

In his about 30-minute long speech and interaction with India Inc, Gandhi appeared relaxed even as he acknowledged that the recent assembly elections in which Congress got a drubbing have made their point and he accepts the messages beingb expressed through them.

"Let me begin by acknowledging that my last quarter results have not exactly been resounding. I now know how it feels when you have to go to your AGMs with bad news," Gandhi said at the outset.

Speaking on the issue of corruption, he said, "recently, we have been able to ensure that convicted criminals are kept out of Parliament. In the process, I got to learn that it is not polite to ask that ordinances be torn and thrown into the dustbin."

Gandhi was referring to his dramatic entry in a press conference being held by AICC Communication Department Chairman Ajay Maken at Press Club of India on September 27.

Making a surprise appearance at the press conference where Maken was defending the government's decision on Ordinance, Gandhi had said that his personal opinion about the ordinance on lawmakers was that it was "complete nonsense" and should be "torn and thrown away".

Gandhis' remarks which eventually saw the government withdrawing the Ordinance, had led to a huge controversy with the Opposition accusing the Congress Vice President of undermining the authority of Prime Minister. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had later told her son he had used very strong words.