The Congress on Wednesday distanced itself from Union minister Beni Prasad Verma's tirade against Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying it does "not approve" of anybody using "objectionable" language against any person or any community.
Verma, known for his antipathy to Mualyam, had on Tuesday sparked a fresh row by alleging that Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi was cleared by a court in a hate speech case due to a tacit understanding with the SP government in Uttar Pradesh.
Indicating the discomfiture in Congress over Verma's remarks, party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said, "Congress has to say it very categorically that nobody should use any derogatory language against any individual or any community. We do not approve of anybody using objectionable language."
He chose not to answer a question about why Congress is wary of attacking the SP chief.
Ahmed also downplayed the attack on the United Progressive Alliance government by the Samajwadi Party, saying both parties in UP had fought the assembly elections against each other, but the SP never said that it wanted to withdraw support to the central government.
"If they have any misgivings, it is everyone's responsibility to clear that." he said.
Ahmed, who is also the in-charge of Congress' affairs in West Bengal, did not find any merit in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's criticism of the UPA government, saying she did not find any fault as long as the Trinamool Congress was with the government.
"After parting ways, she, as an opposition party like the BJP, can make any adverse comment. We do not find any merit in that," Ahmed said.
Replying to questions about a newspaper report that 146 Members of Parliament have employed their relatives as personal assistants, Ahmed said there are Ethics Committees in both Houses of Parliament which will decide on these things.
"They will decide whether it is ethical or unethical," he said.
