Nirmala Sitharaman expresses dismay over Sharad Yadav's remarks on women

Expressing displeasure over JD(U) president Sharad Yadav's comments on south Indian women, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said a veteran politician like him should not have passed such remarks.

"That time I was not there in the House. Sharad Yadav is a very senior leader. He has been in the Parliament for so many years. Even I came to know (about his reported comments) through media only. I object to his comments. This should not have happened," Sitaraman said in a press conference when her attention was drawn towards Yadav's remarks.

"I cannot express my feelings any further on this issue," the Union Commerce Minister said when asked if Yadav should apologise. 

Sharad Yadav was at the centre of a controversy over his comments on south Indian women but the JD(U) president remained defiant, saying he was only praising their beauty.

"The body of women from south is as good as beautiful they are. They (women) in our region are not that good as those (in south) know dancing," Yadav had said in Rajya Sabha during a debate on insurance bill.

Sitharaman is in the state to campaign for the party's candidates in MLC elections. Replying to query, she said the central Government does not discriminate between states. Sitharaman said the Government would honour all the points made in the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act.

Also read: Sharad Yadav calls South Indian women 'dark-skinned'; refuses to apologise