Cong pulls up Beni for remarks against Mulayam

Amid demands by the Samajwadi Party for his dismissal from the government, Congress on Monday pulled up Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma for his remarks against Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"In politics everyone should observe restraint in use of language. Mulayam Singh Yadav is the head of the supporting party to the government. Verma is a minister in that government," Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told mediapersons in New Delhi.

He said the party has taken the matter seriously.

Dwivedi's comments came as the controversial remarks of Verma paralysed proceedings in Parliament on Monday.

Verma found himself in the midst of a fresh controversy over his remarks that Mulayam Singh Yadav allegedly has "terrorist links". Samajwadi Party members disrupted the Lok Sabha demanding his removal from the Cabinet.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for nearly two hours following the uproar with SP members storming the well demanding an apology by the Minister and his removal from the Cabinet.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Shailendra Kumar (SP) demanded that Verma should immediately tender an apology for his alleged remark that all Muslims were terrorists.

Verma had immediately clarified that he had not made any such statement and so there was no question of an apology.

Later talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Verma said he stood by his statement against the SP leader.

He also ruled out stepping down following Mulayam's demand, asking "Has he made me the minister?"