Minister Thawarchand Gehlot regrets his remarks on Indira, Rajiv Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Union minister Thawarchand Gehlot today expressed regret in the Lok Sabha over his remarks regarding the circumstances leading to the assassination of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

His regret came after Congress members created a furore on the Gehlot's statement yesterday and refused to allow the House to function.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also pulled up Gehlot when she told him that it was wrong on his part to say that their policies led to their killings.

Soon after newly-elected Congress member Kanti Lal Bhuria took oath, Congress chief whip Jyotiraditya Scindia said Gehlot should apologise for his inappropriate remarks against the former PMs.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu agreed that the expression conveyed by his Cabinet colleague was "not right" on the "sacrifice" made by the two Congress leaders.

As Gehlot was not present at that time, Congress members rushed to the Well of the House shouting slogans. They said till the time the minister does not apologise, they will not settle in their seats.

Gehlot, who was apparently stuck in a traffic jam, came to the House a little later.

He said he was ready to express regret if his remarks have hurt the feelings of some members, but left a final decision to the Chair. However, he later said "I express my regret".