Sonia Gandhi takes offence to BJP MP's remark

Congress president Sonia Gandhi today apparently took offence to a charge levelled by a BJP member that the Centre was treating Bihar in a "sautela (step-motherly)" manner and let her rebuttal known through party colleague Girija Vyas.

During a debate on the Nalanda University bill in the Lok Sabha, Shahnawaz Hussain (BJP) alleged that NDA-ruled Bihar was getting a raw deal from the UPA government.

"Bihar is getting 'sautela' (step-motherly) treatment from the Centre as the state is not getting adequate funds for drought and flood relief," Hussain said.

Gandhi was seen nodding her head in disapproval when Hussain made the remark.

She then called Vyas, who was the next speaker, and apparently told her to rebut Hussain's allegation.

Subsequently when Vyas spoke, she said, "UPA government never treats any state in a step-motherly manner and this is the reason why Nalanda University was set up in Bihar."