Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday apologised in the Lok Sabha for certain inappropriate words used by a Congress member against former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, bringing the curtains down on the controversy that rocked the proceedings.
As soon as the Question Hour began, BJP members were on their feet demanding that the Congress member, who had made some unparliamentary references to Vajpayee, apologise to the House.
With the members unrelenting in their stand, the Prime Minister tendered an apology.
"I was not present in the House yesterday but I have heard that some very undesirable developments took place. A member of our ruling coalition said something which was not appropriate and with regard to Vajpayeeji those words were used.
"I, on behalf of our government, apologise to the House that those words will not be repeated," Singh said.
The BJP members appeared satisfied by the apology and took their seats.
BJP and its allies had yesterday created pandemonium in the House after Beni Prasad Verma (Congress) used demeaning remarks against Vajpayee forcing two adjournments.
The NDA members were agitated when Verma used a derogatory word against the former Prime Minister during a debate on the Liberhan Commission report and demanded an apology from him.
Home Minister P Chidambaram had apologised to the House on behalf of the government but it had failed to cut any ice with the Opposition. PTI
