Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma’s controversial remarks against Mulayam Singh Yadav, linking him with terrorists, rocked Parliament on Monday, threatening to further strain relations between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress.
In an attempt to bring down the heat in Parliament, the Government said it regretted Verma’s remarks, but SP MPs insisted on Verma’s removal from the Cabinet and did not allow Parliament to function.
later, Verma skipped the Cabinet meeting even as the Congress pulled him up for his outrageous remarks.
Verma reportedly said at a rally in Gonda two days ago that the SP chief had links with terrorists. He also called Yadav a “lootera and a goonda.”
Showing displeasure over Verma’s remarks against Yadav, Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said: “In politics everyone should observe restraint in their use of words. Mulayam Singh Yadav is the head of the party supporting the Government. Verma is a Minister in that Government.”
Shailendra Kumar (SP) raised the matter during Zero Hour alleging that Verma had also linked Muslims with terrorism. However, Verma clarified that he had not made any such statement and so there was no question of an apology.
However, SP members remained adamant and Yadav himself chose to attack his friend-turned-foe.
“How can we forget the 1965 war hero Abdul Hamid and our former President Abdul KalamIJ How can we forget their contributions in national development as also in securing our bordersIJ How can he (Verma) say that Muslims are terroristsIJ He should apologize,” Yadav said.
As SP members continued to raise slogans from the Well of the House, Verma said: “For me, terrorism has no religion, no colour. The demolition of Babri Masjid and the post-Godhra riots are also terrorist incidents. But he (Mulayam) joined hands with people like Kalyan Singh who demolished Babri Masjid. His party also helped the BJP to win in Gujarat.”
Amidst the din, the House was adjourned till 2 pm and again for an hour. In the meantime, the Government tried to work out a compromise between the two factions, but failed. At 3 pm, Yadav said: “I have been called a terrorist. Unless the Minister is dismissed, we cannot have peace. If it is proved that I am a terrorist, I may be sent to jail or else he should be dismissed.”
Expressing regret, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said: “The observation that has been made, I regret it. It is not a question of whether you belong to the ruling party or the Opposition. We condemn this. All of us condemn this.”
Verma was not present when Nath expressed regret and disapproved of his conduct.
Similar scenes were visible in the Rajya Sabha. The matter was raised during the post-lunch sitting by Naresh Agarwal who insisted that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh make a statement in the House.
“Beni Prasad Verma’s heart is hollow. Should we presume that the Congress’ mind has also become hollowIJ” he asked as other members from his party joined him in opposing Verma and demanding an apology.
They also trooped into the Well of the House along with Agarwal and Ram Gopal Yadav, shouting “Beni Verma maafi maango, Beni Verma istifa do” (Beni Verma apologize, Beni Verma resign). The Chair adjourned the House till 3 pm.
later, talking to reporters outside Parliament, Verma said he stands by his statement against the SP leader. “Yes, I stand by my words” he replied to a pointed question in this regard. He also ruled out stepping down following Mulayam’s demand and asked, “Has he made me the MinisterIJ”
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