New Delhi: A ruling JD(U) legislator’s alleged derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi created ruckus in Bihar Legislative Assembly on Thursday and peace returned only after the member tendered an apology.
Pandemonium began post-lunch session, when a JD(U) member Manish Kumar, while participating in a debate on demands for Rural Works Department for third supplementary budget, made disparaging remarks against Modi, thus prompting BJP members to rush to the Well of the House in protest.
BJP members started shouting against the JD(U) member’s remarks that continued for around 15 minutes and demanded that the member apologise for his comment which has hurt their sentiments.
“He (JD-U member) has used derogatory words for the Prime Minister and they (BJP members) would not go back to their seat unless and untill the member expresses regret for his remark,” Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar said.
In a bid to bring back peace in the house, Finance Minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui intervened and requested the chair to expunge the derogatory remarks from the proceedings. On this, the presiding officer Iliyas Hussain said that statements made with regard to the Prime Minister have been expunged from the proceedings of the house, even as the opposition members were adamant on their demand for apology from Manish Kumar.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was not in the House as he had gone to Nepal to take part in the 13th convention of Nepali Congress. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shravan Kumar requested Leader of Opposition to intervene in the matter and urged him to ask his members to take their seat. The presiding officer again asked the JD(U) member to apologise to maintain the dignity of the House.
Manish said, “I have concerns for Bihar’s development and its people…Centre has been meting out step-motherly treatment. If my statement has hurt them, then I express regret for my statement.”
Later, the Assembly passed Bihar Appropriation Bill 2016 to appropriate Rs 8,769.37 crore.