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Sonia Gandhi’s ‘Poor Lady’ remark on President Draupadi Murmu creates controversy, BJP hits back

Sonia Gandhi's 'Poor Lady' remark on President Draupadi Murmu creates controversy, BJP hits back

New Delhi: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s remarks about President Draupadi Murmu have kicked up a political storm. After addressing a joint session of Parliament, she said the President was “barely able to speak, poor thing.” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned the statement and called it “disgraceful” and reflective of the Congress’ alleged feudal mindset.

Gandhi made the remarks after President Draupadi Murmu’s address at the inauguration of the Budget session on Friday. She expressed concern that the President was exhausted due to the long speech. Gandhi was heard saying “By the end, the President was very exhausted. She was barely able to speak, poor thing.”

The BJP immediately responded, accusing the Congress of not being able to accept a tribal woman as the President of India. BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar reacted sharply to Gandhi’s remarks, saying, “It was an insulting remark. Leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should not make such remarks, especially on the President. Draupadi Murmu is from a tribal family and now she is the number one citizen of our country. The zamindari mentality of the Congress does not accept this. That is why they are opposing her speech.”

Despite the controversy, President Murmu’s speech focused on India’s development journey and the government’s commitment to inclusive growth. She highlighted the “saturation approach”, ensuring that every citizen benefits from government policies without any exclusion.

“My government is working with a saturation approach, so that no one is left behind in the journey towards a developed India. We have only one goal: to become a developed India,” he said. Expressing gratitude for the rich defence manufacturing expertise produced by India, he said Made-in-India defence products are also getting international recognition.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey for 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha. The survey, an annual report that assesses the country’s economic health, estimates India’s real GDP growth to be 6.3% to 6.8% in FY26. It also indicated a moderation in inflation and a stable economy.

The current Budget session of Parliament, which began on January 31, will run in two phases till April 4. The first phase will end on February 13 and the second phase will begin on March 10. As the political battle over Sonia Gandhi’s remarks continues, the focus is on the upcoming Union Budget and the government’s development agenda.