New Delhi: A fresh controversy erupted on the first day of the Budget Session after senior Congress MP Sonia Gandhi referred to President Droupadi Murmu as a “poor thing” while commenting on her address to Parliament. The BJP condemned the remark as “derogatory”, demanding an apology from the Congress.
What Happened?
President Murmu delivered her customary address at the joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday morning, marking the beginning of the Budget Session.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament after the speech, Mrs. Gandhi said,
“The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing.”
Standing alongside her, Rahul Gandhi was heard prompting her with phrases like “boring,” and “repeating the same thing again and again?”
BJP’s Response
The BJP was quick to condemn the remarks, with party president JP Nadda calling them “deeply disrespectful”.
“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. The Congress, with its feudal mindset, is unable to accept the empowerment of backward classes and women under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” Mr. Nadda said.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an apology, stating,
“Our President, a tribal woman, is not weak. Droupadi Murmu has worked extensively for the country in ways Congress leaders cannot even imagine.”
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the remark “an unprecedented insult to the President,” while BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar accused the Congress of having a feudal mindset that cannot digest an Adivasi woman becoming the country’s head of state.
Congress’s Stance
The Congress has not officially responded to the backlash, but the controversy has added to the political tensions as the Budget Session begins.
President Murmu’s Speech Highlights
During her address, President Murmu spoke about:
The government’s efforts to lift the economy out of policy paralysis despite COVID-19 and global conflicts.
The modernization of agriculture, railways, and aviation.
Cybersecurity concerns, including digital fraud and cybercrime threats.
The controversy over Sonia Gandhi’s remark has intensified the political divide, setting the tone for a heated Budget Session ahead.
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