New Delhi:  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday appealed to the opposition, particularly the DMK, to put to rest the controversy over a tweet by Puducherry LG Kiran Bedi, saying she has deleted it and expressed deep regret.
Rajnath Singh's comments came after DMK leader TR Baalu raised the issue for the second consecutive day in Lok Sabha and said the matter has triggered outrage in Tamil Nadu as it was insulting to Tamil society and state politicians. The defence minister said Ms Bedi has already deleted the tweet and issued a statement expressing deep regret.
Rajnath Singh said when the matter was raised in parliament by Mr Baalu, the Ministry of Home Affairs took notice of it and took necessary action in this regard. Rajnath Singh said she has expressed deep regret by saying, "What was written was a people perspective shared in my personal capacity, as it came at a time when people were hugely suffering for water in Chennai. However, I admit it was avoidable. And I should not have shared it in public in this manner and I too realised it." "I have therefore deleted my sharing. I have the highest regards and warmth for the people of Tamil Nadu, like I have for the people of Puducherry," Rajnath Singh quoted Ms Bedi's statement.