Picture : ANI / X
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said Bihar and Andhra Pradesh got “pakoda and jalebi” on their plates while other states got nothing as he raised the issue of alleged discrimination meted out to opposition-ruled states in the Union Budget.
According to TI, Engaging in raillery and hurling barbs at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the House, the Congress veteran called Sitharaman “mataji” and said she is an expert in speaking, prompting Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to quip that she was more like his daughter.
After chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected notices under Rule 267 that called for the suspension of the listed agenda to take the alleged discrimination meted out to states in the Budget, Kharge said Bihar and Andhra Pradesh got “pakoda and jalebi” on their plates while others states got nothing.
As he made his forceful assertion of states being discriminated against, Dhankhar called Sitharaman to speak and clarify on the issue.
But Kharge was in no mood of relenting and continued to speak.
“Let me speak,” Kharge told the Chair. “Mujhe bol deta hun… Mataji bolne mein toh expert hain mujhe maloom hai. (Let me finish. Mataji is an expert in speaking, I am aware of that).”
Dhankar shot back that Sitharaman, 64, was like a daughter to Kharge, 82. “Yeh mataji nahi, aap ke beti ke barabar hai,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Sitharaman, who represents Karnataka in the Upper House.
