Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday took on former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath over his comments on the state minister Imarti Devi allegedly referring to her as “Item”.
In an exclusive interview with ABP News Smriti Irani said, “Is being born in a Dalit household an offence? Just think about the thinking and behavior of a Congress leader towards a female party member. What was the crime of that female, that she was born in a mediocre Dalit family, or she made her political career through the struggle?
On being asked that Sonia Gandhi is quiet on the matter, the Union Minister furiously replied, “I don’t think Gandhi family will take action against Kamal Nath for making such a derogatory statement against a lady. Be it, Kamal Nath or Digvijaya Singh, these are the people who keep the fire burning in Gandhi family’s kitchen,” the BJP leader added.
“I can’t find any justification that Kamal Nath ji can give for using such derogatory word against a woman political leader. I can’t understand why the Gandhi family chooses to be absolutely silent,” Irani said.
The incident happened on Sunday when the former CM was campaigning for the by-poll candidate Suresh Raje from the Dabra seat of Gwalior district. While addressing the rally he allegedly termed the Imarti Devi BJP candidate from the seat and state minister “Item”.
The “Item” jibe of Kamal Nath has sparked a nationwide controversy. Shivraj Singh Chouhan CM of Madhya Pradesh protested for 2 hours, while BJP Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia condemned the action on Twitter by calling the incident “Unfortunate”.
Citing the example of Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, over his remark on the female party worker as “Tanch Maal”, the Union Minister said, “ This is not the first time when congress leader from Madhya Pradesh has spoken so horridly about women in politics. I am sure that everyone remembers that Digvijay Singh called a female activist who was part of his own party and organization as, “Tanch Maal”.
Meanwhile, Shivraj Singh Chouhan the current CM took to Twitter and said, Imarti Devi, rose from becoming a laborer to a public servant, and is helping to build the nation. The statement depicts the feudal mindset of the power-hungry congressmen. Condemning the statement of Kamal Nath.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia also termed the statement objectionable and commendable. He also tweeted about the incident saying that this is the time the arrogant leader should be taught a lesson not just for disrespecting women but also for the whole Dalit community.
As the controversy is sparking up, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday sought an explanation from the Congress leader. While former Congress member Imarti Devi has said, Sonia Gandhi should dismiss Kamal Nath. Imarti Devi defected from Congress to the BJP with 21 other MLAs to bring down Kamal Nath’s government in Madhya Pradesh after Jyotiraditya Scindia went to BJP. She served as a minister in the 15 month Congress government.
Madhya Pradesh is currently going through the By-polls on 28 assembly seats, counting will be held on the 10th of November.
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