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Union minister Beni Prasad Verma was forced to apologise in the wake of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav insistence. After the pullout of DMK, SP along with BSP support is crucial for the survival if the UPA. Therefore Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma comments about Mulayam Singh Yadav had recently incensed SP, whose members even protested in the Parliament.
Verma’s statement came after he had a lengthy meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Sonia Gandhi was seen walking up to the SP chief in Lok Sabha and greeting him warmly.
“I regret my words if they have hurt anyone sentiments,” said Beni Prasad Verma, who spoke to reporters in Parliament while being accompanied by Kamal Nath, parliamentary affairs minister.
UPA hopes with this the SP will be placated and remains an ally of the coalition.
