BJP MLA candidate Ramesh Bidhuri, who was embroiled in a controversy over his remark against Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, has made yet another controversial statement against Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
Speaking during a rally in the national capital, the BJP candidate from Kalkaji Assembly constituency, took a personal jibe at Atishi claiming that "she changed her father."
"This Marlena (Atishi) has not become Singh. She has changed her name. (Arvind) Kejriwal swore on children that he would not go (in alliance) with corrupt Congress. Marlena changed her father. She used to be Marlena. Now she has become Singh. This reflects the character of AAP," Bidhuri said.
The BJP leader, who is infamous for his controversial statements, made the remark targetting Atishi over her surname. The Delhi CM, who is the sitting MLA from Kalkaji seat, dropped her surname a while back.
Kejriwal, AAP Lashes Out At Bidhuri's Remark
As the video of Ramesh Bidhuri's speech surfaced on the internet, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal lashed at the BJP saying its leaders crossed all the limits of shamelessness.
"BJP leaders have crossed all limits of shamelessness. BJP leaders are abusing Delhi Chief Minister Atishi ji. The people of Delhi will not tolerate the insult of a woman Chief Minister. All the women of Delhi will take revenge for this," Kejriwal said in a post on X.
The AAP in a statement said Bidhuri's abusive remarks against a female chief minister exposed the BJP's anti-women mindset. If he behaves this way now, imagine the treatment ordinary women would face if he mistakenly becomes an MLA, said the ruling party in Delhi.
Ramesh Bidhuri's Controversial Remark Against Priyanka Gandhi
The incident comes shortly after Ramesh Bidhuri stirred a controversy with his remarks agaist Priyanka Gandhi, saying if he is elected, he would develop roads in the constituency as smooth as the Congress MP's "cheeks". The remark, made during campaigning in Kalkaji on Saturday, has led to widespread condemnation from all quarters.
"Lalu said in Bihar that he would make roads like Hema Malini's cheeks, but he lied, he could not do it. I assure you that just as we made the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will make all the roads in Kalkaji like Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks," Bidhuri is heard saying in a video, which went viral on social media.
However, he later posted a message on X expressing regret if his comments had hurt anyone and stated that his remarks had been misconstrued by some for political gains.
The remark led to a condemnation from across parties, with the Congress demanding an apology from him for insulting women and some leaders in his party also expressing their disapproval.
"Ramesh Bidhuri's statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only extremely shameful but shows their ugly anti-women thinking, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said.
Bidhuri later defended his remarks saying, “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."