Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday expunged the controversial personal remark made by Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy about Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman even as the BJP MPs demanded an unconditional apology from him.
Roy drawing a comparison with India’s economy and Sitharaman’s hair led to a heated exchange between the Treasury Bench and Opposition MPs.
Replying to the TMC MPs’ remarks, Sitharaman said, “If only Saugata Roy could listen instead of making remarks on other factors.”
BJP MPs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi demanded an unconditional apology from Roy. “Commenting on personal attire...Being a senior member, what is he talking,” he asked. “He should apologise unconditionally. It is an insult to womenfolk.”
However, Roy said he did not believe he had said anything unparliamentary.
The Speaker said that he will look into the records and expunge the remarks if needed, urging the MPs to continue with the debate on the introduction of Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020