Sharad Yadav regrets remarks on HRD minister

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) After much controversy, Rajya Sabha member Sharad Yadav on Wednesday expressed regret over his retort to Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani.

The issue was raised by Leader of House Arun Jaitley, who asked Yadav to clarify on his remarks reported in the newspapers while these have been expunged from the records of proceedings of the house.

"During the course of a discussion, a statement has been made, published by the media, as a part of the proceedings of this house attributed to our very senior colleague Sharad Yadav-ji. The comment tells a lady member, who is also the minister for HRD, that I know what kind of person you are," Jaitley said raising the issue.

"Even though the statement was not allowed to be recorded in the proceedings, it has gone all over media and it has created a very improper impression. If Sharad-ji can clarify his statement so that this impression does not persist," he said.

Responding to this, Sharad Yadav expressed regret and said he comes from a culture that is matrilineal.

"I regret this... I come from the background of a culture that is matrilineal... The Gond culture," he said.

The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader said he respected women members.

"Our Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, I believe is the best minister and Smriti-ji... I respect so much. When a question was raised about her degree, I was the first person who said I am engineer of political science and have no degree. I was first to defend her. What has been published was not my aim... I respect her".

A controversy broke out when Yadav during a debate on the insurance bill last week commented on complexion of women. The issue was raised later when Irani said the member must not comment on complexion of women. Many other women members of parliament also found Yadav's comments inappropriate.