Alagiri answers first question in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI - Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister M.K. Alagiri, who is not fluent in Hindi and English, answered a question in the Lok Sabha Thursday for the first time after becoming a minister in 2009.

Alagiri, who has faced flak for his long absences, was present in the Lok Sabha as MPs raised questions related to his ministry during the question hour.

Answering a question by Congress MP Charan Das Mahant, Alagiri said: “Question number 161. A statement A to E is laid on the table of the house.”

The DMK leader, however, did not reply to supplementary questions. He authorised Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Jena to answer answer the questions.

Mahant said he was fortunate to have his question listed as the first question of the day and to get Alagir’s first reply.