New Delhi:
Two women MPs of the Congress reached across party lines today to stand up for Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani of the BJP when a Trinamool Congress member, a man, made a condescending remark about her in the Lok Sabha.
While asking a supplementary question on the mid-day meal scheme run by the HRD Ministry, the Trinamool's Sultan Ahmed said that the Minister, a former actor, was known in every household in the country for her role as an ideal daughter-in-law in a popular TV serial and so he expected her to perform well as minister.
Congress MPs Ranjeet Ranjan and Sushmita Dev immediately stood up and protested against the remark, saying the TMC member had no business referring to the minister's acting career. They observed that it had nothing to do with the issue being discussed.
Later, while asking a supplementary, Ms Dev expressed regret for the remarks made by Mr Ahmed and congratulated Ms Irani, 38, for holding charge of the HRD Ministry. The Congress MP said as a woman she was proud of her achievement.
Ms Irani thanked her profusely.