Under fire for his comments that the rise in petrol and diesel prices does not bother him as he is a Minister, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Sunday apologised for his remarks and said he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the common man.
In a statement issued in Mumbai, Mr. Athawale said that he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the people of India.
“I do understand the feelings of people who are getting affected by the rising fuel prices. I had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the common man,” he said.
‘Government vehicles’
“I was in Jaipur when a journalist asked me if I have any problem with rising prices of petrol and diesel. I had said that I have no problem since I am a Minister and we are provided government vehicles. But people do face problems and prices should be brought down. I did not say this to insult anyone,” he added.
Mr. Athawale, president of the Republican Party of India (RPI), is known for his witty poems inside and outside of Parliament.
“I am not suffering from rising fuel prices as I am a Minister,” he said on Saturday. He went on to add that he might suffer [because of hike] if he were to lose his Ministerial berth.
