New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has spoken on the controversy over Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor's 'cattle class' remark on the networking site Twitter.
The Prime Minister has downplayed Tharoor's comments on twitters.
He said: "It is not an important issue."
The Congress has not ruled out action against the Mnister of State for External Affairs for his comments on Twitter.
"Congress would take whatever action is appropriate at an appropriate time," Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said.
Tharoor's Officer on Special Duty who had tweeted in response to the cattle class remarks to state that India's politicians are humourless could also be in trouble.
But Tharoor's apology is not good enough for the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. At an iftaar party he said, "He should apologise to the nation and offer to step down as a minister."
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has "tweeted" his apology around midnight to all those hurt by his "cattle class" remark.
Tweeting from Liberia, Mr Tharoor's apology came a day after the Congress party publicly reprimanded him for stating that he would travel "cattle class in solidarity with all our holy cows" in a message posted on Twitter.
Mr Tharoor said the phrase cattle class was used by a scribe and he had only repeated it. Further, according to the Minister, "it's a silly expression but means no disrespect to economy class travellers, only to airlines for herding us in like cattle".
Apart from Tharoor's remark, sources say, the Congress is angry at the remarks made by the Tharoor's personal aid Jacob.
On Thursday, Jacob had described the Indian politicians as humourless, saying things like, "Now they should call a cow to the TV studio for a discussion."
It is clear that the party is not amused by Tharoor's comment, especially at a time when party's top leaders are leading its austerity drive by example. But the question is how far will the party go in penalising Shashi Tharoor.
Meanwhile, Tharoor on his part is still tweeting.
"Am glad my tweets last night have been noticed, have now realised I shouldn't assume people will appreciate humour and you shouldn't give those who would willfully distort your words an opportunity to do so."