Minister apologizes for his remarks against woman MLA

Gandhinagar, correspondent

Gujarat Health Minister Nitin Patel today apologized in the state assembly for his utterances of personal nature against a woman MLA of opposition Congress.

Mr. Patel expressed his apology during zero hour and said that Ms Kaminiba Rathod (the Congress MLA from Dahegam with whom he had a hot altercation yesterday which led to uproar and suspension of the Congress MLAs from the house for a day eventually) was a junior member of the house and a five term member like him should not have got enraged and reacted over her earlier remarks in the manner he did . He said that the state has a woman chief minister and Kaminba is also a woman. He gave it a good thought last night and with a big heart he is apologizing for what he has uttered.

The apology from Mr. Patel, who is also a spokesperson of the state government, was well taken by the opposition Congress which welcomed it.Senior party members Shaktisinh Gohil and whip Balwantsinh said that such things should not happen again.

In a lighter vein speaker Ganpat Vasava, who had ordered deletion of the words used during the altercation yesterday from the records, today said that the 182 member assembly was like a family.

Main opposition Congress yesterday created uproar in the assembly over Patidar quota stir and anti liquor campaign which led to a hot altercation between Mr. Patel and Ms Rathod during vote of thanks debate on governor’s address. Peeved at a remark from Ms Rathod, the minister made a very personal comment against her.

Mr. Patel and Ms Rathod had yesterday apologized to each other in the speakers’ chamber for the strong words used by them. The words were also expunged though Congress demanded an open apology from the minister in the house which he conceded today.

Leader of opposition Shankersinh Vaghela had said that if the minister did not apologize for his comments against the woman MLA,his party won’t let the house function properly till the last day of the budget session ie March 31.

– DeshGujarat