BJP Member of Parliament Ramesh Bidhuri on Thursday expressed regret for his objectionable remarks against BSP's Danish Ali during a meeting of the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee. Both leaders were separately heard by the committee, which is likely to bring closure to the matter and submit its report to the Speaker, news agency PTI reported citing sources.
During his deposition before the committee, Bidhuri acknowledged his regrettable comments and cited BJP leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh's expression of regret in the House on September 21.
Bidhuri had made the comments during a discussion on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, targeting Ali, who was accused by several BJP leaders of using derogatory words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The controversy led to a disruption in the House, prompting Singh to rise and convey his regrets, stating, "I express regret if the opposition is hurt by the remarks made by the member," as the Deputy Leader of the House in Lok Sabha.
With Bidhuri's expression of regret, the committee is expected to conclude the matter and forward its report to the Speaker. BJP President J P Nadda had issued a show-cause notice to Bidhuri, known for his outspoken remarks that occasionally lead to controversies.
While Ali and several other opposition MPs, including Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and DMK's Kanimozhi, demanded action against Bidhuri, several BJP legislators, including Nishikant Dubey, claimed the BSP member "incited" the South Delhi MP and made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following complaints from Ali and other opposition members to Speaker Om Birla, and counter-accusations from BJP members claiming Ali's use of derogatory language during his speech, the matter was referred to the Privileges Committee. Ali, too, appeared before the committee and provided a detailed account of the incident, rejecting the allegation that he used insulting remarks against Prime Minister Modi, the PTI report said.