Congress leader Sonia Gandhi sparked controversy on Friday with her remarks about President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint session of Parliament, referring to her as a “poor thing,” the Hindustan Times reported.
“The President was getting very tired by the end…She could hardly speak, poor thing,” Sonia Gandhi told reporters.
Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda criticized Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her comment.
“Former Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi’s use of the phrase “poor thing” to refer to the President is deeply disrespectful and underscores the opposition’s continued disregard for the dignity of the highest constitutional office. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident,” Nadda said on X.
“While the President was highlighting the government’s achievements, the opposition—driven by its feudal mindset—chose instead to mock the empowerment of backward classes and women, a transformation brought about under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” he added.
“I condemn the comments made by Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Our President, a tribal woman, is not weak… Droupadi Murmu has worked extensively for the country and society and they cannot even imagine the kind of work she has done… They should apologise to her,” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to X, stating, “Sonia Gandhi’s comment calling the President a ‘poor thing’ undermines the dignity of the office and reveals her feudal mindset. This is not the first instance of Congress mocking the first tribal woman to hold the nation’s highest constitutional position.”
