New Delhi, 3 April
The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Thursday termed the allegations levelled against him by Anurag Thakur in the Lok Sabha baseless, saying the remarks damaged his reputation as he dared the BJP MP to prove them or else resign.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress president said the BJP MP was compelled to withdraw his defamatory remarks made during the debate on the Waqf Bill in the Lower House.

"But the damage has been done," Kharge said.

He also sought an apology from Thakur as well as the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, J P Nadda, over the issue.

"Yesterday, Anurag Thakur hurled completely false and baseless charges at me in the Lok Sabha. When my colleagues challenged him, he was compelled to withdraw his defamatory remarks. But the damage has been done," Kharge said.

The Congress chief, however, said despite the withdrawal of the remarks, the same did the rounds on media and social media platforms.

"I am forced to stand up today and condemn Anurag Thakur's wild allegations. I expect an apology from the Leader of the House, which is the very least the ruling party can and must do," Kharge said.

He added that if Thakhur cannot prove his allegations, "he has no right to be in Parliament. He should resign. If the allegations are proved, I will resign," Kharge said.

The opposition members staged a walkout soon after Kharge's speech.