Beni Prasad Verma apologises for remarks against Mulayam Singh Yadav

Steel minister Beni Prasad Verma has become the first casualty of SP’s newly acquired leverage over the UPA, after he was forced to apologise for his comments on Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Following a meeting with the prime minister, Verma emerged before television cameras flanked by parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath to say: “If anyone was hurt by what I said, I express my regrets.”

The episode has exposed the vulnerability of UPA, which needs Yadav’s support to survive after ally DMK withdrew support to it. The government is dependent on the 22-member SP and 21-member BSP for survival.

SP’s newfound clout was underscored when Congress president Sonia Gandhi stood before Yadav with folded hands, in what was interpreted as expressing regrets for Verma’s utterances.

The SP chief appeared to respond warmly to Gandhi’s gesture, telling ET soon after: “Soniaji spoke to me, and I am satisfied by her assurances. Let us see.” SP has sought an apology from Verma on the floor of the House and will take a final stand on Verma after its parliamentary party meeting on Thursday.

Amid this drama, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee.