The remarks were made by Mr. Modi while felicitating Harivansh in the House on Thursday.

In an embarrassment for the government, a portion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory speech on Thursday to felicitate Janata Dal(U) MP Harivansh after his election as the Deputy Chairman was expunged on Friday by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Remarks made by the Prime Minister are rarely expunged.

In a lighter vein, Mr. Modi, referring to the JD(U) candidate and Opposition nominee, Congress MP B.K. Hariprasad, said the election was between two “Haris”, He then went on to take a swipe at Mr. Hariprasad, playing on his initials, which left the House in splits.

The Congress members though were not amused. The party was considering a privilege motion against the Prime Minister on the issue till Thursday but eventually the leadership, sources said, decided not to pursue it.

Also Read PM, Jaitley cross swords

On Thursday, RJD MP Manoj Jha, flagging the PM’s comments, said they were derogatory in direction and intent. He requested that they be expunged.

The Chairman had told the House that he would look into the remarks and see if there was something objectionable.

Mr. Hariprasad said it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister had lowered the dignity of the House. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the remarks were shameful. “I think it becomes a massive shame for this country when the PM uses unparliamentary expressions in any House of Parliament,” Mr. Tharoor said. The chairman also expunged a word uttered by Union Minister Ramdas Athawale during the felicitation speeches.

Mr. Hariprasad lost the Deputy Chairman election to Mr. Harivansh by a margin of 24 votes.