Oppn stages walkout over Pragya remark; BJP says does not support such statements

New Delhi: Opposition members, including Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK, on Thursday staged walkout in the Lok Sabha over BJP member Pragya Thakur's remark on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse and alleged that the ruling dispensation were using the Gandhi name for political gains.

As soon as the House met for the day and obituary references were made, Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on on his feet protesting against Sadhvi Thakur's remark and alleged that the grand old party was called a terrorist party.

''Godse is being called patriot.....Gandhi name is being used to gain political mileage,'' he said.Members from the DMK, Trinamool and AIMIM also joined the protest and were on their feet, demanding to speak on the issue.

Speaker Om Birla said that he already has expunged the said remarks and tried to pacify the agitating members.

''You all are senior leaders.. What the MP said, has already been expunged. Nothing went in the record. So, what is the need for discussion?''

Mr Birla on Wednesday had expunged BJP member Pragya Thakur remark, in which she referred to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a 'deshbhakt' in the House during a discussion on the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, triggering a protest by opposition members.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh intervened to say that BJP not only condemns the remark but such thinking also.

''Our party not only condemns such statement made in Parliament but also the thought process. BJP never supports such statement or ideology,'' he said, adding that "The very soch (thinking) of Nathuram Godse being deshbhakt (patriot), should end.''

Mahatma Gandhi's ideals were relevant earlier and they are relevant today also, he added.Unsatisfied with response, the opposition staged walk-out.(UNI)