By using the word “Nirbala” (which translates to weak), he wanted to imply that the finance minister couldn’t speak her mind despite being a union minister. However, the remark, which can be termed as sexist, is likely to trigger a row in the political circles.
“I do have respect for you, but at times I think that I should call you as Nirbala Sitharaman ins place of Nirmala Sitharaman as you cannot speak your mind despite being a union minister,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
His comments came during a discussion on the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, in the Lok Sabha.
This comes just a day after he invited criticism by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as “migrants”. His comment did not go down well with the BJP leaders who slammed Chowdhury for his “offensive” remarks against the Prime Minister of the country and sought an apology from him.
Chowdhury said both Modi and Shah are infiltrators as their homes are in Gujarat but they have moved to Delhi.
News agency ANI quoted Chowdhury as saying: "India is for everyone -for Hindus, for Muslims and for everyone else. They are creating the fear that they will throw out Muslims. They do not have the capability to do that. But what they want to show is Hindus will be allowed to stay, while Muslims will be sent away.”
“Amit Shah Ji, Narendra Modi Ji, you are infiltrators. Your homes are in Gujarat, but you have moved to Delhi,” Chowdhury said while opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
“Aap khud migrant hain,” he was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Chowdhury's comment comes at a time when Union Minister Shah is discussing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill with the members of political parties and the civil society organisations from the northeastern states.