NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party‘s candidate from the Kalkaji assembly constituency, Ramesh Bidhuri, has now regretted his “Priyanka Gandhi‘s cheeks” remark that stirred controversy.
Talking to news agency ANI, he said, “I express regret over it and I take my words back.”
The BJP candidate courted controversy by saying that with the party’s victory in the Delhi assembly election, he will develop roads in his constituency like Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s “cheeks”.
“I assure you that just as we made the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will make all the roads in Kalkaji like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks,” he was heard saying in the purported video, which went viral on social media.
Bidhuri initially defended his comment by addressing the media amidst opposition’s criticism of his remark.
“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,” he said.
As the matter spread like wildfire, Bidhuri regretted and took his words back. “I have said that in the context of what Lalu Yadav had said. Congress remained silent on that even when he (Lalu Yadav) was a minister in their govt… If anyone is hurt by my remark, I express regret over it and I take my words back.” he said.
Targeting Bidhuri, Congress candidate from Kalkaji and Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba accused him of “insulting” women once again in his “usual indecent language”.
“Will the public in Kalkaji have such (a person) who cares neither for the dignity of the House (Parliament) nor respects the women,” she said in a post on X.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also attacked the BJP candidate and 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.”
BJP also faced criticism from AAP with Delhi CM terming the party “anti-women.”
Taking to reporters, Atishi said, “BJP is anti-women, it is an open secret and it is a matter of concern that this same BJP is in charge of Delhi’s law and order. Ramesh Bidhuri’s statement shows the mentality of BJP. If a BJP leader who was an MP and is the party’s candidate for Delhi Election 2025, can make such a statement, then how will BJP provide safety to the people of Delhi?…women of Delhi will give a befitting reply to Ramesh Bidhuri’s statement and BJP in the upcoming election”
