By IANS,
New Delhi : Congress spokesman Manish Tewari Thursday expressed regret to Anna Hazare over his comments slamming the social activist for alleged corruption.
“In political discourse, certain things get said which inadvertently cause hurt, anguish and pain,” Tewari told reporters outside parliament.
“I know some of my recent utterances have caused hurt to Anna Hazare. To him I would like to say that I regret the same,” the Congress leader said.
He said he was personally concerned about Hazare’s health and would like to appeal to him to end his fast. “In democracy, there is always room for discourse.”
Tewari had attacked Hazare Aug 14 on the basis of Justice P.B. Sawant Commission report and accused him of being involved in corruption from “head to toe”.
The remarks had drawn veiled criticism from his own party people.
Tewari’s remarks Thursday came soon after the Lok Sabha appealed to Hazare to end his fast.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in the house earlier that he saluted the social activist, respected his idealism and his life was “too precious”.
Urging Hazare to end his fast, the prime minister said the activist had emerged as an embodiment of people’s disgust against corruption.