Delhi Chief Minister Atishi broke down emotionally during a press conference on Monday as she addressed the controversial and derogatory comments allegedly made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ramesh Bidhuri. Atishi, who is contesting the Delhi Assembly elections against Bidhuri from the Kalkaji constituency, expressed her shock and distress over the remarks, which she described as a new low in Indian politics.
Atishi’s Emotional Response
During the press interaction, Atishi spoke about her father, who had dedicated his life to teaching. “My father was a teacher throughout his life, teaching thousands of children from poor and lower-middle-class families. Now, at the age of 80, he is very ill and can barely walk without assistance,” said Atishi, visibly emotional. She questioned Bidhuri’s actions, wondering how far he was willing to go for political gain. “Will you stoop so low as to insult an elderly man for the sake of an election? I never thought that politics in this country could sink to such depths,” she added.
Bidhuri’s Remarks Under Fire
The controversy began when Ramesh Bidhuri, addressing a rally in Rohini, made derogatory comments about Atishi’s surname, saying, “This Marlena (surname used earlier by Atishi) became Singh and changed her name. Kejriwal swore on his children to stay away from corrupt Congress; Marlena changed fathers. Earlier she was Marlena; now she has become Singh. This is their character,” as quoted by PTI. The comment referred to Atishi’s decision to drop her surname “Marlena” in the past, a move that attracted unnecessary attention during the election campaign.
Political Reactions and Criticism
Bidhuri’s remarks sparked immediate backlash from opposition leaders. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the language used by the BJP leader, stating that the party’s leaders had crossed all limits of decency. “The BJP leaders are abusing Delhi’s woman Chief Minister Atishi ji. The people of Delhi will not tolerate the insult of a woman. All the women of Delhi will take revenge for this,” Kejriwal posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who is contesting against Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, also criticized Bidhuri’s statements. “Ramesh Bidhuri has made such objectionable comments in the past too. The BJP’s decision to field him as a candidate from an important seat raises questions about their judgment and respect for public figures,” Dikshit said.
Conclusion
The controversial remarks made by BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri have sparked outrage and debate, with opposition leaders and members of the public calling out the lack of civility in political discourse. Atishi’s emotional response sheds light on the personal toll such comments take on individuals, especially when targeted at their families. As the election campaign heats up, it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect the political climate in Delhi.
