India, Aug. 23 -- Facing backlash over his alleged remarks describing former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar as a "role model", Rohtak Congress MP Deepender Hooda on Sunday denied using the phrase and expressed regret if his comments hurt anyone's feelings.

Kumar, a controversial former Congress MP who was serving two life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died at the age of 80 on Thursday.

While condoling Kumar's death, Hooda had described it as a "loss to the country's political landscape" and praised the former MP's "connect with people and contribution to Delhi's development".

The remarks triggered criticism from within the Congress, with senior Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Sharma writing to party president Mallika...