Union Minister Anant kumar Hegde apologises for 'change Constitution' remark in Parliament, says it is 'supreme for me'

In an effort to end the logjam in Parliament, Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde on Thursday apologised in the Lok Sabha for his 'change Constitution' remark.

The apology comes days after the Minister of State for Skill Development had said at an event in Karnataka that he respects the Constitution but "it will be changed in the days to come".

The remark sparked a political controversy with the Congress demanding Hegde's resignation.

Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde's clarification, following which Hegde said, 'If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology.' #LokSabha

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017

'If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology,' Hegde said in the Lok Sabha after Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge objected to his clarification.

Ahead of the Winter Session proceedings, Hegde also said that the 'Constitution is supreme to me.'

Talking to the reporters outside Parliament, Hegde said, “I deeply respect the Constitution, the Parliament & Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it.”

Hegde, a five-time Lok Sabha member from Uttara Kannada, is no stranger to controversies. A case was registered against him for allegedly using derogatory language against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Kittur in Belagavi district.

He had been slapped with cases for his "hate speeches", including one where he allegedly equated Islam with terrorism.