‘RASHTRAPATNI’ REMARK SPARKS BJP-SONIA DUEL

Congress leader and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s off-the-cuff remark on President Droupadi Murmu plunged both houses of Parliament into chaos on Thursday, with Treasury benches demanding an unqualified apology from the party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Following the controversial remark, the BJP made an all out onslaught, led by its two women ministers Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman-both demanding an apology from Sonia Gandhi. An irate Irani said, “Sonia Gandhi sanctioned the humiliation of a woman at the highest constitutional office in the country.” She also called Sonia an “anti-Adivasi, anti-Dalit, and anti-woman”. 

Irani said, “Ever since the name of Droupadi Murmu has been announced as the candidate for the presidency of India, she has been targeted maliciously by the Congress party. Congressmen had termed her as a puppet candidate, Congressmen have called her a symbol of evil. Their attacks do not seem to stop against Droupadi Murmu ji even after she has now been elected to the highest constitutional office of the country.”

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman opened another front demanding an apology from Sonia. “It was a deliberate sexist insult. Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the President of India and the country,” the Finance Minister said in the Lok Sabha.

Later, speaking to the media, Sonia Gandhi said Adhir Chowdhury has already apologised. 

After the house was adjourned, the Lower House saw sparring between Sonia and Union Minister Irani over the ruckus. Sonia walked up to BJP MP Rama Devi and asked her why her name was being dragged into the controversy, Irani intervened upon which Sonia cut in to tell her, “Don’t talk to me.”

Meanwhile, Chowdhury said that he had used the term “Rashtrapatni” for President Murmu by mistake and that the ruling party was deliberately trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Chowdhury also said that he would tender an apology to the President in person.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh Narayan Singh adjourned the proceedings of the Upper House for an hour earlier in the day. However, after the Rajya Sabha resumed business, it was adjourned again till 2 p.m. on Thursday amidst sloganeering by the Opposition members who entered the well of the House with placards. The Opposition members were protesting, among various issues, the price rise and the suspension of fellow MPs.

Lok Sabha also witnessed similar pandemonium leading to two adjournments in a day as BJP MPs caused huge ruckus over Chowdhury’s remark on President Murmu. The BJP demanded an apology from Chowdhury and Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi for insulting the President.