How it happened: Sonia Gandhi & Smriti Irani's heated off-camera Parliament faceoff

A dramatic face-off took place in Parliament on Thursday as a war of words erupted between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani after Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury passed a sexist remark on President Droupadi Murmu and called her "Rashtrapatni". A sharp exchange took place between Gandhi and Irani during break in Lok Sabha which was adjourned following loud protests by BJP MPs against Congress leaders for sanctioning humiliation of President. 

Smriti Irani while launching an attack on Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Sonia Gandhi in Lok Sabha accused Congress leaders of repeatedly insulting first Tribal women President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Speaking in Parliament, Union minister said that Opposition is leaving stone unturned to disrespect President since her candidature was anunced. 

"Congress cant digest hour for a tribal woman. party is unable to digest fact that a girl coming from a poor family can become President of country," said Smriti Irani in Lok Sabha. 

Raising issue in Parliament, Smriti Irani asked Congress president to apologise. "Sonia Gandhi, you sanctioned humiliation of Droupadi Murmu. Sonia ji approved humiliation of a woman holding highest constitutional post. Apologise to Nation. Sonia Gandhi apologise to tribal, poor and woman of country," she added in a fiery address. 

Sonia Gandhi loses her cool at Smriti Irani

In response to loud sloganeering and protests by BJP MPs, Lower House was adjourned. It was n that Sonia Gandhi allegedly walked towards protesting BJP MPs with two of her party MPs. However, she suddenly turned to Rama Devi, who chaired session, to talk about sexist comment by Leader of Opposition. 

Sonia Gandhi, while speaking with Rama Devi, was allegedly heard saying, "Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had already apologised. Why am I being dragged into this?" Her statement soon grabbed Irani's attention making her intervene saying, "Madam, may I help you? I took your name." To this intervention, Sonia Gandhi asked Union minister to t talk to her. "Don't talk to me," Gandhi said. 

Here's excerpt from heated conversation, as per sources: 

Sonia Gandhi: Don't talk to me.

Smriti Irani: Why should I keep mum? 

Sonia: You (BJP) cant name me.

Smriti Irani: Why should t we (name you)?

Following interaction between two leaders, BJP MPs claimed that Sonia Gandhi replied to Irani with a lot of aggression. Republic TV while talking to a BJP MP was told that Sonia Gandhi was quite aggressive and harsh while talking to Smriti Irani, she even waved her finger at Smriti Irani and said 'you don't talk to me'.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's reaction

While Leader of Opposition's comment on President has swballed into a fiery argument between Smriti Irani and his party president Sonia Gandhi, he has sought time from President Murmu to apologise for his sexist remark. "I will t apologise to se Pakhandis (calling BJP MPs Hypocrites). I will apologise to President," he added.

Earlier, Chowdhury attempted to clarify his remarks, saying, "I had used term "Rashtrapatni" for President Murmu by mistake and ruling party is deliberately trying to make a mountain out of a molehill."