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Ramesh Bidhuri's Controversial Remarks on Atishi and Priyanka Gandhi Spark Outrage
Team Finance Saathi
06/Jan/2025
What's covered under the Article:
- Ramesh Bidhuri's controversial remarks about Atishi and Priyanka Gandhi spark backlash from AAP and Congress.
- Bidhuri apologizes for his comments, claiming they were misinterpreted for political gain.
- BJP leaders urge restraint in language, emphasizing respect for women in politics.
In a fresh political controversy, BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri from Kalkaji is facing significant backlash for his derogatory remarks about Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. During a public event on Sunday, Bidhuri reportedly made two offensive comments, one about Priyanka Gandhi’s appearance and another about Atishi’s surname.
The Controversial Remarks
In the first instance, Ramesh Bidhuri was allegedly heard saying that he would make roads in his constituency “like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks”, a comment that many found to be derogatory and sexist. He then made another controversial statement, reportedly saying that Atishi had “changed her father,” referencing her surname change from Marlena to Singh. This remark sparked immediate outrage from AAP and Congress, with both parties demanding an apology for what they termed as an insult to women.
AAP and Congress Respond to the Remarks
The remarks sparked a swift and strong reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress. AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar condemned the comments, stating that the BJP's attitude reflected an "anti-women" mentality. She expressed concern over the possible implications of Bidhuri becoming an MLA, warning that his attitude towards women would be detrimental to Delhi's public life. Kakkar further asserted, "Women of Delhi will take revenge," alluding to the likely electoral defeat of the BJP candidate in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
Congress, too, condemned the statements, emphasizing that such remarks were not acceptable in a democratic society and must be apologized for.
Ramesh Bidhuri’s Response
As the controversy grew, Ramesh Bidhuri initially defended his comments by pointing out similar remarks made by RJD leader Lalu Prasad in the past about BJP MP Hema Malini. Bidhuri claimed that his comments had been misinterpreted for political purposes and expressed regret if anyone felt hurt by his words. On X (formerly Twitter), he clarified, "It was not my intention to insult anyone. If any person has been hurt, I express regret."
Bidhuri attempted to justify his comments by referencing Lalu Prasad’s remarks about Hema Malini during a rally in Bihar, drawing a comparison between his own statement and a similar one made by Lalu in the past. He further criticized the Congress for not asking Lalu to apologize for his comments, accusing the opposition of hypocrisy.
BJP's Stand on the Remarks
BJP leaders, including Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, also weighed in on the matter. While acknowledging the importance of respecting women in politics, Sachdeva emphasized that such statements should be avoided. He stressed that all politicians should exercise restraint when speaking about women, reminding the Congress of the controversial statements made by its leaders in the past. Sachdeva, however, also pointed out the hypocrisy in Congress' criticism of Bidhuri, given the lack of action against similar remarks from their own party leaders.
The Road Ahead
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February next year, and with the BJP aiming to regain control of the city after losing to AAP since 2013, such controversies are likely to have political ramifications. The public fallout from these remarks could further impact Bidhuri’s electoral prospects in the Kalkaji constituency, a seat that will see fierce competition in the upcoming elections.
The incident highlights the challenges of political rhetoric in a charged election environment and underscores the need for sensitive language, particularly when addressing women in politics.