New Delhi, August 22
Indian envoy to the US, Ronen Sen, became a target of verbal attack of furious MPs for the second day today for his tactless remarks against opponents of the nuclear deal. Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned over the issue.

Members belonging to the BJP-led opposition, Left parties and the UNPA made it clear that they would not settle for anything less than his recall. Although the government assured the members that there would be no compromise on the dignity of Parliament, it kept mum on the demand for the envoy’s recall.

BJP deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, V.K. Malhotra, asked the Prime Minister to tell the House what action the government was taking against Sen.

When the Lok Sabha met at 11 am, BJP and Samajwadi Party MPs along with those of the Left were on their feet, demanding that Sen be recalled. Barring members of the Shiv Sena, the BJP-led NDA walked out of the House.

Before adjourning the proceedings till noon, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said, “There are deliberate attempts by members day in and day out to disrupt the proceedings. It seems they are not desirous of running the House.”

When the House reassembled, MPs from the BJP, the Samajwadi Party and the Left reiterated their demand for recalling Sen. CPI member Gurudas Dasgupta said, “Sen has outraged MPs who oppose the deal. This is outrageous.” The RJD, a key ally of the UPA, also demanded his recall.

The Speaker tried to assuage the feelings of agitated members. “There is no question of any exoneration. Parliament is powerful enough to take action but we have to act according to procedures,” he said.

It was clear that neither the clarification issued by the external affairs minister, nor the apology tendered by the envoy had cooled the MPs. Sen’s apologetic note that the comments were about some friends in the media, attracted criticism of parliamentary affairs minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi who said no one had the right to cast aspersions on Parliament and even on the media. He also dismissed the explanation about the remarks being part of an “off the record” conversation with the correspondent of a news website. “No ambassador can make off-the-cuff remarks from the official chair.”

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP member Yashwant Sinha moved a notice for breach of privilege against the envoy and demanded his immediate recall.

Sinha said an ambassador who admits to making “tactless remarks” should not be allowed to continue in his present capacity even for a day.

CPI member D. Raja said the Sen’s apology is not convincing and wondered why the government was not making a statement on his recall in the House.

AIADMK member V. Maitreyan said the envoy was behaving as if he was a spokesperson for the US and the pro-nuclear deal lobby.

Samajwadi Party member Amar Singh was also critical of Sen’s remarks.

Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, Narayanswamy, said unless the authentic version of the ambassador’s interview was known, one could not draw inferences. “If he made personal references against Yashwant Sinha, it is regrettable,” he said.