Delhi Election: Amid Row Over His ‘Roads Like Priyanka Gandhi’s Cheeks’ Remark, Ramesh Bidhuri Responds To Backlash
Delhi Election 2025: BJP's Kalkaji candidate Ramesh Bidhuri defended himself after he stirred row by stating that if elected, he would develop roads as smooth as Priyanka Gandhi's "cheeks".
Delhi Election 2025: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and candidate from the Kalkaji Assembly seat, Ramesh Bidhuri, defended himself after he stirred controversy with his remarks during an election campaign. In a viral video, Bidhuri stated that if elected, he would develop roads in the constituency as smooth as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's "cheeks".
The remark, made during campaigning in Kalkaji on Saturday, has led to widespread condemnation from all quarters.
Bidhuri, known for previous controversial statements, responded by clarifying his remarks. “Such statements have been made in the past too. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is an ally of the Congress party, made similar remarks on BJP MP Hema Malini, and now they are making an issue of it. I respect women, and I take my words back if they have hurt someone, but I think Congress and AAP should also introspect,” he told news agency PTI.
VIDEO | Here's what Delhi BJP candidate from Kalkaji seat Ramesh Bidhuri (@rameshbidhuri) said clarifying his remarks on Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2025
"Such statements have been made in the past too... RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav who is an ally of the Congress party made… pic.twitter.com/Xc4T8y38Za
The BJP leader was referring to RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's statement when had promised roads in the state as smooth as the cheeks of Hema Malini.
Speaking to the media, Ramesh Bidhuri demanded Lalu's apology, "What Lalu Yadav - who was a minister in their (Congress) govt had said - he should apologise first for what he said about Hema Malini... I compared what I said with what had been said earlier. Pawan Khera should apologise first for what he said about the father of the PM. We will reply to them in the language that they will use. Is Hema Malini, not a woman?"
#WATCH | Delhi | On his purported statement concerning Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a viral video, BJP's candidate from Kalkaji assembly constituency Ramesh Bidhuri says, "...What Lalu Yadav - who was a minister in their (Congress) govt had said - he should apologise first for what… pic.twitter.com/slLIn85smM
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2025
"When two people make mistakes, both need to rectify. If Congress rectifies their mistake, we will do the same. It's hypocrisy, they have done nothing but corruption - so they need some issue on which they can seek votes. Hence they are making allegations against me," he added.
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Congress, AAP Leaders Condemn Delhi BJP Candidate Ramesh Bidhuri's Remarks
Congress candidate from Kalkaji and Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba accused Bidhuri of disrespecting women. “As soon as he was declared the candidate from Kalkaji assembly constituency, Ramesh Bidhuri once again insulted women 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?” Lamba posted on X (formerly Twitter). She also demanded a public apology from Bidhuri and called on senior BJP leaders to clarify their stance on the issue. Mahila Congress workers, led by Lamba, burned an effigy of Bidhuri in protest.
कालकाजी विधानसभा से प्रत्याशी घोषित होते ही रमेश बिधूड़ी जी ने एक बार फिर अपनी चिर-परिचित अमर्यादित भाषा में महिलाओं का अपमान किया है।
— Alka Lamba 🇮🇳 (@LambaAlka) January 5, 2025
क्या कालकाजी की जनता एक ऐसे को अपने बीच रखेगी, जो न तो सदन की गरिमा का ख्याल रखता है और न ही महिलाओं का सम्मान करता है?
रमेश बिधूड़ी जी को इस… pic.twitter.com/fhuWLso0sT
The controversy drew further reactions from political rivals. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh criticised both Bidhuri and Congress leaders for their muted response. “Ramesh Bidhuri has made such a low-level and mean statement on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Even the leaders of AAP have condemned that, but I am surprised that two big leaders of Congress, who call themselves champions of Delhi – Ajay Maken and Sandeep Dikshit – have not said anything against Ramesh Bidhuri. They don’t have this much courage to say a word about the disrespect of their own leader. It shows that they have a deep relationship with the BJP,” he told news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi | On BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri's purported statement in a viral video, AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "Ramesh Bidhuri has made such a low-level and mean statement on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Even the leaders of AAP have condemned that but I am surprised that two big… pic.twitter.com/atKEi8RcYa
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2025
Bidhuri’s political career has often been marred by controversies. Last year, his behaviour in the Lok Sabha targeting then BSP MP Danish Ali led to widespread condemnation and was referred to the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha.
The BJP has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
The Kalkaji Assembly seat, represented by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, is set to witness a fierce contest in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
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