New Delhi: Maharashtra State Women’s Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar on Sunday said state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Chandrakant Patil has apologised for his “go home and cook” remark against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule. The apology came in response to a notice sent to Patil by the women’s commission seeking a clarification on his comments.
“The commission had sent a notice to Patil over his comments against Sule and he had responded by apologising for the remarks, which he said were made out of disappointment over the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) not getting political reservation,” PTI quoted Chakankar as saying in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Sule said the Maharashtra BJP chief has through his apology shown his “large-heartedness”.
“I had refrained from commenting on his remark from day one. But by apologising, he has shown his large-heartedness,” she said reacting to Patil’s apology.
Sule, whose party shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra, also appealed to everyone to put the matter to rest.
The Maharashtra BJP chief had earlier on Wednesday launched a vitriolic attack on Sule during his party’s protest over the OBC reservation.
“Why are you (Sule) even in politics, just go home and cook. Go to Delhi or to a cemetery, but get us the OBC quota. Despite being a Lok Sabha member, how come you don't know how to get an appointment with the Chief Minister,” Patil said.
Patil’s remarks drew sharp reactions not only from the NCP, but also drew the ire of several women politicians.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) polit bureau member Brinda Karat condemned the Maharashtra BJP chief’s remarks. She said sexism is becoming rampant in Indian politics and urged the women lawmakers cutting across political lines to be united against the trend.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi also reacted to the same and assured to bring a Bill against shaming women in public platforms.
The NCP MP had earlier said that she had contacted Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his Delhi visit, but he did not divulge what he did to get nod for the OBC reservation.
The Supreme Court had recently allowed reservation for the OBCs in local bodies in Madhya Pradesh, while Maharashtra’s plea has been rejected.