NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule has created a flutter by saying that Parliamentarians gossip among themselves and discuss matters like sarees when caught up in lengthy debates in the House.
As she came under attack for her remarks, Sule today claimed that she was misquoted.
At an event organised by the Nashik-based Fravashi International Academy yesterday, Sule had said that people think that MPs are discussing important affairs but it may not be the case always when debates are repetitive.
"When I go to Parliament, I hear the first speech, the second speech and third speech. Till 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 am unable to do so. We speak to some other MP. While chatting with the MPs, everyone is watching, the TV above is watching. People think the MPs are discussing (affairs of) the country," she said.
"If I am speaking to the MP from Chennai, you will say: Oh God, I may be discussing the heavy rains in Chennai.We don't indulge in any such discussion. We discuss things like: from where did you buy your saree and from where did I get mine," said Sule, who is friends with DMK leader Kanimozhi.
Addressing the students at the event, she said, "You students sometimes get bored after sitting through lectures and then start talking about actress Deepika Padukone and her looks in 'Bajirao Mastani'."
Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe said Sule's remarks were irresponsible.
"There is plenty of work while Parliament session is on. To make such comments demeans the sincere women legislators and MPs who have struggled to become House members," she said.
Speaking on the issue of women's reservation, Sule said, "All the male members in Parliament tease me that if an additional 50 per cent reservation is given to women, then debates in Parliament will be only about sarees, facials and parlours.
"I have told them many times that your are the ones who make comments on sarees and have not done much welfare for the country. So it should not be a problem to given the proposal a chance," Sule said.
Seeking to play down ups and downs in her party's
relations with the Congress, Sule said Congress was a natural ally of NCP.
"There are times when it goes through and there are times when it does not. Alliance varies from situation to situation," she said.
"We have had a long sustainable relation with Congress... 15 years in the state and 10 years at the Centre. We have maintained a good and dignified relationship with that party. We would like to continue that relationship but with self respect. As long as both parties respect each other, the relationship continues," she said.
To a question if there is a possibibility of her party's merger with the Congress, she said she was not aware of any such proposal and would not speak on hypothetical issues.
Asked how she thinks the national scenario will turn out by the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Sule said, "Only half the term (of the NDA government) is over... It's too early to comment on on 2019 Lok Sabha polls. There have been lots of disappointments...Promises made have not be delivered. We have to wait and watch.. The time now is for local elections," she added.
212 civic bodies, comprising municipal councils and nagar panchayats, spanning 25 districts in Maharashtra would go to polls in four phases between November 27 and January 8.
Sule said she was happy with the way the party's girl's wing "Yuvati" NCP was shaping up.
"We have 50 per cent women population but in every party, we see boys and not girls of that age working in their respective outfits.
"Parents are not comfortable sending their girls for campaigning and doing political work. Yuvati NCP is a platform for girls which is beyond elective merit... It is about their safety, security, rights, education, eve teasing and various other issues which matter to girls of their age group," she added.
To a question on dynastic politics, Sule said the first step is easy for children of politicians.
"The journey is more tough because of constant comparisons. People look at us horridly and we are made to feel guilty which is not the case with children of lawyers, doctors, movie stars and even media persons.
"Many products of dynastic politics have lost elections, some have won and some have survived. I would defend everybody from my fraternity from every party," she said.
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Speaking about her decade-old political career, Sule
said her job was similar to any other career option.
"It is only different in the sense that everytime you do good work, you don't get results out of it. You have to decide what your final goal is."
Sule, whose father Sharad Pawar became Chief Minister for the first time when she was just nine, said she felt that the beauty of power is in using it to empower people who need it.
"Social projects need the government reach and infrastructure to give the necessary impetus and push. My father was instrumental in the 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, various initiatives for agriculture, renaming of Marathwada University after B R Ambedkar, role of women in defence forces," she said.
She said hers was a very normal family despite being in politics.
"There is nothing special about us. We are a normal family which discusses cinema, sports, music, news," she said.
