NEW DELHI: Congress on Sunday strongly criticised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA candidate from Delhi’s Kalkaji, Ramesh Bidhuri, for his controversial remark about Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi during a public rally.
Bidhuri, while addressing a rally in Kalkaji, said: “Lalu said that in Bihar, he would make the roads as smooth as Hema Malini‘s cheeks. Lalu lied; he couldn’t do it. But I assure you, just like we improved the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will definitely make all the roads in Kalkaji as smooth as Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks.”
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate condemned the remark as “shameful” and accused the BJP of fostering an anti-women mindset.
Expressing her disgust on X, Shrinate said: “Ramesh Bidhuri’s statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only shameful but also shows his disgusting mentality towards women. But what else can be expected from a man who used foul language against his fellow MP in the House and did not receive any punishment? This is the real face of the BJP.”
Meawhile, Bidhuri, while addressing the media, defended his comments and said, “Hema Malini is also a woman, those who made mistake first should apologise first. She was from a simple family, she is not a woman, and the one who is from a known family, is a woman, how is it possible? Congress should rectify first, then we will also rectify. BJP doesn’t make false promises. There are 140 crore common people, is it not a big thing when comments are made against them. Hema Malini is from south, does that mean that she is not a woman, everybody should get respect. Congress should clear, Lalu ji was in his cabinet, they should have made him apologise, they did not ask for it because she was from a simple family. It is their hypocrisy. Nehru family has spoiled the country in 70 years. The country has rejected them.”
Shrinate further criticised the BJP’s silence on the issue, recalling Bidhuri’s earlier use of foul language against a fellow MP, for which he faced no repercussions. “BJP is extremely anti-women,” she added.
Shrinate called on the women leaders within the BJP, including Women Development Minister and BJP president JP Nadda, to speak out against such remarks. She also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue.
Concluding her statement, Shrinate demanded an apology from the BJP, asserting that the party must take responsibility for such a mindset and language.
Bidhuri’s remark were shared by AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who condemned the BJP’s treatment of women.
Posting the video on X, Singh stating: “This is BJP’s candidate. Listen to his language, this is BJP’s respect for women. Can Delhi’s women’s honor be safe in the hands of such leaders?”
Additionally, Congress leader Alka Lamba also lashed out at Ramesh Bidhuri for his remarks on Priyanka Gandhi and said, “Everyone is thinking what kind of a remark it is… Everyone has sisters, daughters and mothers at home. Everyone is thinking that BJP had made a mistake by nominating him but should they make a mistake by voting for him? He should apologize. We are protesting. We will file an FIR.”
