New Delhi, December 5: Day after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stoked row with her "never ate onion" remark, another Union Minister - Ashwini Kumar Choubey - joined the fray. The 66-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) told reporters that he is unaware of the rising onion prices as he has never tasted the bulb vegetable in his life. P Chidambaram Jabs Nirmala Sitharaman For 'I Don't Eat Onions' Remark, Asks Whether She Consumes Avocado.

Choubey, similar to Sitharaman, said his family has never tasted onion and hence one should not expect from him to be aware of the market situation. However, the Buxar lawmaker left the media confused with his remark that he has not consumed onion being a "vegetarian".

The bulb crop, though avoided by a section of Hindus and Jains due to it being a root, falls under the category of vegetarian foods.

"I am a vegetarian. I have never tasted an onion. So, how will a person like me know about the situation (market prices) of onions," said Choubey, a Minister of State in Health and Family Welfare department.

Watch Video of Ashwini Choubey's Remarks on Onion Prices

On Wednesday, Sitharaman had drawn flak in Lok Sabha as she said in a lighter vein that neither she or her family members consume onions. Her remark reflects the government's apathy towards the issue, alleged the Opposition. "What kind of approach is this? What does she eat? Does she eat avocado," said Congress leader P Chidambaram, referring to the vegetable which is sold at Rs 350-400 per kg in the Indian market.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 05, 2019 04:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).