"Poor Thing": Row Over Sonia Gandhi's Remarks On President's Speech

New Delhi: A controversy erupted in Parliament today after Congress MP Sonia Gandhi referred to President Droupadi Murmu as a "poor thing" while commenting on her speech. The BJP condemned the remark, calling it derogatory and demanded an apology from the Congress party.

President Murmu addressed a joint sitting of Parliament to mark the start of the Budget Session. After the speech, Sonia Gandhi, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, said:

"The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing."

She was accompanied by her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, both Members of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi was also heard prompting his mother, asking if the speech was "boring" or "repetitive."

BJP's Reaction

BJP president JP Nadda strongly criticized Sonia Gandhi's remark, calling it disrespectful and elitist.

"While the President was highlighting the government’s achievements, the opposition chose to mock her. This shows Congress’s feudal mindset and disregard for women’s empowerment," Nadda said.

BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the comment, saying that Congress cannot accept that an Adivasi woman is now the President of India.

"It was a derogatory comment. The Congress’s zamindari (feudal) mindset cannot digest the fact that an Adivasi woman is the first citizen of the country," Majumdar said.

Congress Yet to Respond

The Congress party has not yet responded to the BJP’s accusations. The controversy is expected to escalate in the coming days as the Budget Session continues.

President Murmu’s Speech Highlights

During her speech, President Murmu spoke about the government's achievements and its efforts to strengthen the economy. She highlighted:

• Economic growth despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts.
• Development in aviation, railways, and agriculture for modernization and self-reliance.
• Cybersecurity concerns, warning about the increasing threat of digital fraud and cybercrime.

The controversy over Sonia Gandhi’s remarks is likely to dominate political discussions in the coming days.