‘Atishi Changed Her Father’: BJP’s Bidhuri Fires Another Salvo After Sexist Jibe At Priyanka Gandhi – News18

Last Updated:January 05, 2025, 22:36 IST

Ramesh Bidhuri, who is pitted against Atishi from the Kalkaji seat in the upcoming assembly polls, was addressing a public gathering in the national capital.

BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri and Delhi CM Atishi (File)

Amid row over his remark on Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ramesh Bidhuri stoked another controversy on Sunday, saying Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi “changed her father”.

Bidhuri, who is pitted against Atishi from the Kalkaji assembly seat in the upcoming assembly polls, was addressing a public gathering in the national capital.

“This Marlena (Atishi) became Singh. She changed her name. Arvind Kejriwal swore on his children not to align with the corrupt Congress. Marlena changed her father. This reflects the character of the Aam Aadmi Party,” Bidhuri said.

Also Read: ‘Roads Like Priyanka Gandhi’s Cheeks’: BJP Leader Bidhuri’s Remark Draws Congress Ire

He further attacked the Delhi CM saying that her parents submitted a mercy petition against the death sentence of terrorist Afzal Guru.

“Atishi Marlena’s parents submitted a mercy petition against the death sentence of Afzal Guru, the terrorist responsible for the deaths of many of our brave soldiers. I want to ask the people of Delhi whether they want to support those who sought a pardon for Guru’s death sentence,” he added.

Kejriwal Slams Bidhuri

Reacting to Bidhuri’s remark, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that BJP leaders have crossed all their 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.

Party spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar also traded barbs at the BJP leader saying that the women of Delhi would take a revenge of this insult.

“…Imagine if he becomes an MLA by mistake and imagine the kind of attitude he will have against women. The public of Delhi has extended support to Arvind Kejriwal a lot…Ramesh Bidhuri will lose by a very big margin from Delhi CM Atishi. The women of Delhi will take revenge” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

‘Roads Like Priyanka Gandhi’s Cheeks’

Ramesh Bidhuri, who is known for his controversial statements, had courted another controversy earlier in the day claiming that if the BJP is voted to power in Delhi assembly, it will build smooth roads “like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks” in the constituency.

Bidhuri made a reference to Lalu Yadav’s remark on Hema Malini and roads in Bihar and said that the RJD could not make roads in the state “like Hema Malini’s cheeks”, but the BJP would definitely build “roads in Kalkaji like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks”.

“We will build all roads in Kalkaji like the cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi. Lalu had said that he would build roads in Bihar like the cheeks of Hema Malini, he had lied. He could not. But I assure you that we will make all roads in Kalkaji like the cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi,” he said.

The remark drew widespread criticism for his party.

Congress Hits Out At Bidhuri

Congress candidate from the Kalkaji constituency Alka Lamba lashed out at Bidhuri over the sexist remarks and sought his apology. She said Congress will stage protests and lodge an FIR against him.

“Everyone is thinking what kind of a remark it is… Everyone has sisters, daughters, and mothers at home. Everyone is thinking that BJP had made a mistake by nominating him but should they make a mistake by voting for him?” she said.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate dubbed the BJP “anti-women” and asked if the party’s top leadership would speak up against Bidhuri’s remarks.

“BJP is against women. BJP’s former MP and now party’s candidate from Kalkaji, Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks against Priyanka Gandhi are shameful. This is the real face of the BJP. Will the women party workers of BJP, party president JP Nadda, and PM Modi say anything?” she asked.

Bidhuri Expressed Regret

The former MP later expressed regret over his remarks as the row flared up. Though, he earlier defended his remarks stating Lalu Yadav should first apologise for his remarks on Hema Malini, but later said that he took his words back.

“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.

Bidhuri’s Controversial Remark In Lok Sabha

The BJP leader had also made a controversial remark against Opposition MP Danish Ali in the previous Lok Sabha, which drew criticism from the INDIA bloc. He had described the MP as “militant and terrorist” on the floor of the House.