Cong demands Sudarshan's apology over anti-Sonia remarks

Congress on Thursday demanded an apology from former RSS chief K S Sudarshan for his reported remarks against Sonia Gandhi and warned of criminal proceedings if he does not express regret, even as BJP termed the charge as a diversionary tactic from multiple corruption charges.

Congress on Thursday demanded an apology from former RSS chief K S Sudarshan for his reported remarks against Sonia Gandhi and warned of criminal proceedings if he does not express regret, even as BJP termed the charge as a diversionary tactic from multiple corruption charges.

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"Sudarshan has said nasty things against Soniaji which is not acceptable to us. He must apologise. We cant tolerate it. He must apologise to the nation or else criminal proceedings will be initiated against him for his derogatory remarks," senior Congress leader Rajiv Shukla told reporters outside Parliament.

Parliament proceedings were today paralysed for the second day with the opposition storming the Well in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha demanding ouster of Telecom Minister A Raja, while Congress members denounced the RSS for K S Sudarshan's anti-Sonia Gandhi remarks.

Regarding the Treasury Bench members in the Rajya Sabha rushing to the Well of the House at the start of the proceedings over this issue, Shukla said, "Generally, Treasury Bench members do not rush to the Well... but today we had to do so".

Scoffing at the Congress for raking up Sudarshan's reported anti-Sonia statement in Parliament, BJP described it as a diversionary tactic by the UPA to steer away from "serious corruption charges"

"The Congress-led government, which is facing serious corruption charges in the 2G, Adarsh housing and CWG episodes, is trying to divert attention from these issues", BJP spokesperson Prakash Javdekar said.

When pointedly asked about the Sudarshan's reported comments, which appeared in a Hindi daily today, he said "Who knows? Neither you have heard it nor have I?"

Posed with the same question as he emerged from Parliament House, senior Opposition leader Venkaiah Naidu said, "I don't know what he (Sudarshan) has said. Without knowing, I cannot comment".