Beni Prasad survives controversy over Mulayam remark?

New Delhi: Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma, in the line of fire for his remarks against SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, seems to have survived the controversy with the government saying that 'the matter is closed'. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said, "I had expressed regret over the matter the day before yesterday in the House. They (SP) have not raised the issue after that. I met them yesterday and they are satisfied and the matter is closed".

Party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi had on Monday remained non-committal when asked about whether the Congress will take action against Verma but had made the party's displeasure clear by saying it has "taken this issue very seriously". A section in Congress believes that Verma could be warming up to other parties like BSP ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.

On Monday, Verma said he stood by his statement that Yadav allegedly had 'terror links'. He had also ruled out stepping down following the SP leader's demand. In retaliation, he asked, "Has he made me a Minister?" But on Wednesday, he expressed regret over the remark.

Verma had stuck to his guns even as Congress had snubbed him in an apparent bid to mollify SP, which is supporting the government from outside. "The party is not in agreement with what he (Verma) has said. We do not approve of the statement he has given. Congress has always said that the party men should talk seriously. SP is supporting our government from outside," party spokesperson Rashid Alvi had said on Monday.

Verma had also skipped the crucial meeting of Congress Parliamentary Committee addressed by party President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday. The controversy involving a supporting party had come at a time when the government was facing the political challenge in the wake of UPA constituent DMK pulling out of the alliance on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue. Verma has also said he would continue to remain in the party and was not resigning from the Cabinet. "I will remain in Congress all my life. Let people say what they want to say," Verma said.