Noting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's assertion that he meant no disrespect to Sonia Gandhi in terming her as a videshi, the Congress on Friday sought to bury the controversy set off by his remarks.
Asked if the party was satisfied with Vajpayee's clarification on his remarks about Gandhi at a poll rally in Pathankot, Congress spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters that the Prime Minister's clarification has been "noted" by the party and Gandhi directed Congress leaders that this matter should be treated as closed after the clarification. He, however, said the Prime Minister's remarks were in "bad taste and uncalled for."
Strongly reacting to BJP spokesman V K Malhotra's posing why Gandhi took 16 years in acquiring Indian citizenship and that she has never addressed a gathering without the help of a written text, Sharma said, "This shows the low level of BJP's campaign."
"Gandhi does not need any certificate from Malhotra or any of the BJP leaders about her patriotism. The entire world knows her qualities and contributions," he said.
Bureau Report
