New Delhi [India]: Congress leader Alka Lamba criticized BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri for his derogatory remarks against Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, calling it an example of “low-level politics.” Lamba also claimed that Bidhuri’s apology was made under pressure from his party and predicted his loss in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
बीजेपी के नेताओं ने बेशर्मी की सारी हदें पार कर दी। बीजेपी के नेता दिल्ली की मुख्यमंत्री आतिशी जी को गंदी-गंदी गालियाँ दे रहे हैं।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 5, 2025
एक महिला मुख्यमंत्री का अपमान दिल्ली की जनता सहन नहीं करेगी। दिल्ली की सभी महिलाएँ इसका बदला लेंगी। pic.twitter.com/MlajIFzU4J
“Use of such language against women, be it from Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, or BJP, is condemnable. This is low-level politics, and he has already lost the election even before starting. He has apologized under the pressure of BJP,” Lamba said.
The controversy erupted after Bidhuri, during a public gathering on Sunday, commented on Atishi’s surname and family, saying, “Atishi, who was Marlena, is now Singh. She has even changed her father.”
Reacting strongly to the remarks, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticized BJP leaders for crossing “all limits of shamelessness” and vowed that the people of Delhi would respond decisively in the polls.
“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 wrote on social media platform X.
Bidhuri has also faced backlash for earlier controversial remarks against Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. A video shared by AAP MP Sanjay Singh showed Bidhuri stating that BJP would make all the roads in Kalkaji as smooth as the “cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi” if they came to power.
Amid the outrage, Bidhuri expressed regret over his comments about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Speaking to ANI, he defended his remarks by referencing similar statements made by Lalu Prasad Yadav during his tenure, accusing Congress of remaining silent then.
“Such statements have been made before. I have said that in the context of what Lalu Yadav had said. Congress remained silent on that even when he (Lalu Yadav) was a minister in their govt. If anyone is hurt by my remark, I express regret over it and I take my words back,” Bidhuri said.
The Delhi Assembly elections are approaching, with tensions escalating among the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and BJP. The election dates are expected to be announced soon, adding to the political intensity.