Amid the ruling party seeking an apology from Sonia Gandhi over Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's 'Rashtrapatni' remark, the Congress president on Thursday said that he has already sought forgiveness.
A full scale controversy erupted after BJP MPs demanded an apology from Gandhi on the alleged derogatory remarks made by Chowdhury, the Congress floor leader in Lok Sabha, on President Droupadi Murmu.
When asked, Sonia Gandhi said that "he has already apologised" and called for an all-party meeting.
Demanding the apology, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Rajya Sabha: "Objectionable statement was made by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha who referred to 'Rashtrapati' as 'Rashtrapatni'. It is a common understanding that 'Rashtrapati' is gender neutral representing 'leader of the country' and therefore, I think it not a slip of tongue but a deliberate sexist insult to President."
Also read | Sonia should apologise to President for Congress leader's remark : Nirmala Sitharaman
Citing Murmu's struggles, Sitharaman said that the President is a self made person coming from tribal community, who served successfully as an MLA, Minister and Governor.
"At a time when the entire country is rejoicing her election to the constitutional post of the country, the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha called her 'Rashtrapatni', an insult to the President of India," she said.
Unnecessarily being dragged, Sonia on Adhir Ranjan controversy
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said she was unnecessarily being dragged into the controversy surrounding party floor leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's 'Rashtrapatni' remark, saying that he has already apologised.Chowdhury on Wednesday courted controversy after he referred to President Droupadi Murmu as 'Rashtrapatni' in the Lower House.
Also read | Congress 'demeaning' President Droupadi Murmu: Smriti Irani
After the House adjourned on Thursday, Gandhi walked up to an agitated Rama Devi and reportedly told her that when Adhir Ranjan has already apologised, why was she being dragged into it?
When Smriti Irani, who was also present, tried to intervene, Gandhi asked her not to speak to speak to her. Later, Supriya Sule of NCP from opposition benches and Pralhad Joshi from the Government's pacifed the agitated members, sources said.
Taking to Twitter, Jairam Ramesh said: "Atrocious and outrageous behaviour by Union Minister Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha today! But will she be pulled up by the Speaker? Are rules only meant for the Opposition?"
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury issued a statement and said that it was a slip of tongue and mistake was committed "The BJP is creating a furore which was by mistake while speaking on the subject. I made a mistake, just once.
He said he had apologised for it and BJP is making a mountain out of mole.
Sonia Gandhi too said that he has apologised and tried to pacify the opposition MPs when the incident took place.
