BJP seeks Ethics Committee probe, apology on Congress MP's 'separate south India' remark

New Delhi: Congress MP DK Suresh’s controversial remarks on a separate south India reverberated in Parliament on Friday with the ruling BJP seeking an Ethics Committee probe against him and apology and condemnation from the main Opposition party.

The BJP asked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to condemn and apologise to the nation for the MP’s remarks and strict action against him, while insisting that Suresh has violated his oath.

Congress initially appeared to weather out the storm with Kharge telling Rajya Sabha that the Upper House could not discuss the matter as Suresh is a Lok Sabha MP.

However, he added,  “If someone talks about dividing the country, we will never tolerate it. Even if it is from my party or their party or any party….I, Mallikarjun Kharge myself will say that from Kanyakumari to Kashmir we are one, we will remain one country. That is why Indira Gandhi-ji..Rajiv Gandhi-ji gave their life. Do you think such a party will do that?”

Suresh had landed in trouble on Thursday following his comments on budget during which he said that injustice is being meted out to south India and they may be forced to demand a separate nation. However, later in the day he claimed that the BJP was twisting his remarks.

In Lok Sabha where the Opposition had walked out over Jharkhand developments, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi led the charge urging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the case to the Ethics Committee.

He said the Congress MP has insulted the Constitution and it was the tradition of the Congress.

“Congress should clarify whether it supports the MP’s statement. It should take action. It should apologise. I ask Sonia Gandhi to apologise and take action. His remarks are a violation of the oath. If you don’t take action, it means you also support it,” Joshi said.

In Rajya Sabha, the issue was flagged by Leader of the House and senior minister Piyush Goyal, who said the “unfortunate” statement was made by a Congress MP, who is not an ordinary worker but the brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Alleging that Suresh’s remarks reflected Congress’ “partition mindset”, he said he will work towards preserving the unity of the country.

Responding to the charge, Kharge initially said the rules do not permit them to discuss the matter but Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar reminded him about his ruling that such conduct could be discussed. He also said Suresh has clarified that he has not spoken the way it has been projected.

Kharge added, “if he has said so, let the Lok Sabha Privilege Committee look into it. Our party never supports division of the country. To preserve the country’s unity, Congressmen have sacrificed their lives.”