New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad on Sunday evoked smiles in the Lok Sabha with his approval of "admonishment" in the house by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is seen as a probable Congress candidate for the Presidential elections.
Speaking during the special session to mark 60 years of the first sitting of the two houses of parliament, Lalu Prasad also made a veiled attack on civil society organisations led by Anna Hazare.
Lalu Prasad referred to Mukherjee losing his cool Thursday over Bharatiya Janata Party members demanding action against P. Chidambaram over allegation that the home minister or his son had financially benefited from a telecom deal in 2006 when he was finance minister.
"He (Mukherjee) has a right to admonish. His intention is never bad," Lalu Prasad said.
He referred to Mukherjee as "dada (elder brother)" and said he was a senior leader.
The RJD leader said Mukherjee had been authorised to admonish, evoking smiles from members. Mukherjee, too, turned towards him and smiled.
Lalu Prasad's remarks came soon after his assertion about the significant role of regional parities in presidential polls and the next general election.
Mukherjee had lost his cool in the Lok Sabha Thursday, saying the opposition should not raise the same issue again and again, referring to the disruptions last week.
Even Congress president Sonia Gandhi tried to pacify an angry Mukherjee.
Hours after his angry outburst led to an hour-long adjournment, Mukherjee expressed his "regret" for losing his cool, and admitted that it was not appropriate on his part. BJP benches welcomed the statement with the thumping of their desks.
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