Mumbai: NCP MP Supriya Sule has kicked up a controversy by saying that women parliamentarians discussed only sarees, facials and beauty parlours in Parliament instead of serious issues. She made these remarks at a college function. However, she clarified later that it was during an unofficial chat with college youths.
Ms Sule, daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, was addressing youths at an event organised by Vishwas Dynan Prabodhini at Nashik on Thursday. She had said that people think MPs discuss important issues in Parliament, but when debates are repetitive and boring, women parliamentarians gossip about sarees, facials and parlours.
“When I go to Parliament, I hear the first speech, the second speech and the third speech. By the fourth speech, the one who is speaking is saying the same things the earlier speakers have said,” she said.
“If you ask me what was said after the fourth speech, I will not be able to tell you. We speak to other MPs. While chatting with the MPs, everyone is watching the TV above. People think the MPs are discussing (affairs of) the country,” she said.
“If I am speaking to an MP from Chennai, you might say: Oh God, may be they’re discussing the deluge. But, we don’t indulge in any such discussion. We discuss things like: from where did you buy your saree and where did I get mine from,” said Ms Sule, who is friends with DMK leader Kanimozhi.
In support of her comment, she said, “It’s just like how you students sometimes get bored after sitting through lectures and then start talking about actor Deepika Padukone and her looks in Bajirao Mastani.”
Shiv Sena spokesperson Dr Neelam Gorhe said MS Sule’s remarks were irresponsible. “There is plenty of work while Parliament is in session. To make such comments demeans the sincere women legislators and MPs who have struggled to become House members,” she said.
Meanwhile, as she came under attack for her remarks, Ms Sule claimed that she was misquoted. “I’ve been misquoted, the entire story going around is completely out of context,” she said. She further added that it wasn’t a formal function, but an informal chitchat with young students. “We were joking around with each other,” Ms Sule said.
