Delhi Elections: The ongoing political heat around the Budget Session of Parliament has intensified following a controversial remark made by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. While responding to President Droupadi Murmu’s speech, Gandhi referred to the President as a “poor lady,” triggering a sharp backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who have now called for an apology. This incident has ignited a fierce political debate, particularly with Delhi elections looming on the horizon.
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Key Highlights:
- The comment was made in response to President Murmu’s speech during the Budget Session.
- BJP condemned the comment, labeling it an insult to a constitutional position and demanding an apology.
Delhi Elections: The Beginning of the Budget Session: A New Controversy Emerges
While it’s customary for the president to highlight the government’s progress in such addresses, the speech sparked an unexpected controversy due to Sonia Gandhi’s reaction.
Sonia Gandhi, former president of the Congress Party, made a remark during her media interaction post-speech that set off a political firestorm. What did she say?
Delhi Elections: What Exactly Did Sonia Gandhi Say?
Rahul Gandhi called it “boring,” while Sonia added that the speech contained nothing new, merely reiterating old points.
She said some bad things—poor lady.” Her comment referring to President Murmu as a “poor lady” was seen by many as disrespectful, particularly given that the President holds a significant constitutional position.
Delhi Elections: BJP Responds Sharply: An Insult to the Constitutional Office
As expected, the BJP immediately condemned Sonia Gandhi’s comment. The BJP accused Congress of repeatedly disrespecting constitutional positions, particularly targeting the office of the President. BJP national president J.P. Nadda demanded an unconditional apology from Sonia Gandhi, saying her remark was an affront to the dignity of the President and the position she holds.
Political experts predict that the BJP will not let this issue die down easily. The party is likely to use this controversy to target Congress, particularly by framing it as an insult to the dignity of tribals and marginalized communities. The BJP may even leverage this controversy to create political difficulties for Congress in the upcoming Delhi elections.
Delhi Elections: President’s Office Responds: A Strong Rejection
The President’s office also issued a statement, rejecting the opposition’s comments. The response described Sonia Gandhi’s remarks as “inappropriate,” “unfortunate,” and “entirely avoidable.” A spokesperson for the President’s office emphasized that such comments undermine the dignity of the office and are unacceptable.
It stressed that while opposition parties have the right to disagree with the government, they should always maintain the dignity of the constitutional offices, especially in public discourse.
The question remains: has Congress scored an own goal by making this controversial remark against the President just before the Delhi elections? How BJP chooses to frame this issue among the public, and how voters respond, will play a significant role in determining the fallout.
History suggests that Sonia Gandhi’s controversial remarks have often backfired. A notable example occurred during the 2007 Gujarat assembly elections when Sonia Gandhi referred to then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi as a “merchant of death.” The BJP successfully used this statement to turn the tables on Congress, and it played a role in their electoral victory.
Now, with the Delhi elections fast approaching, the impact of Sonia Gandhi’s “poor lady” comment on Congress’s fortunes remains to be seen. The outcome may become clearer when voters head to the polls on February 8.
