New Delhi; Moments after BJP cornered Sonia Gandhi for rebuking Union Minister Smriti Irani in Lok Sabha, the Congress party stepped up its attack on Irani accusing her of misbehaving with the party president.
Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed disruption from ruling BJP for the first time in the monsoon session over Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's remarks on President Droupadi Murmu.
NDTV reported that Sonia Gandhi was about to leave when she decided to walk to the slogan-shouting BJP MPs after the Lok Sabha Speaker adjourned the house. Two Congress MPs were with her.
In a stunning move, the Congress president crossed the floor of the House and reportedly said to BJP MP Rama Devi: "Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had already apologised. Why am I being dragged into this?"
Sources say Smriti Irani interjected and said, "Madam, may I help you? I took your name."
To which, according to NDTV, Sonia Gandhi retorted: "Don't talk to me."
The incident was explained by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Sensing the backlash for Sonia Gandhi rebuking her counterpart who defeated her son Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, the Congress party immediately attacked Irani for misbehaviour.
This was followed by a statement from the Congress party.
Congress general secretary and media in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, “Sonia Gandhi was talking to Rama Devi. Smriti Irani came in between and misbehaved with the Congress president in a disrespectful manner. When Sonia Gandhi told her politely that she is not talking to her, Smriti Irani was heard shouting “you don’t know me, who I am”. MPs from other parties and Congress are witnesses to this incident.”
A political analyst told NewsDrum that NDTV’s version of the incident appears to be true given their political leaning where Congress statement is seeming a cover-up. “The whole country has seen Smriti Irani’s behaviour with elders in public and in parliament. Congress’ modus operandi has been like that – launching an attack in the defence. Both sides will spar over this issue but nothing will come out if the incident has not been recorded.”
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