Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday broke down while reacting to BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks on her father. According to her, the BJP leader stooped very low for elections.
“My father has been a teacher all his life…He cannot walk without support,” Atishi, whose parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, were Delhi University professors, stuttered as she tried to control her tears.
“For elections, he stooped so low…he will abuse an old man. This country’s politics can stoop so low…I cannot believe it. He is asking for votes by abusing my old father,” the Chief Minister said during a press conference.
नई दिल्ली विधानसभा में भाजपा कर रही वोटों का बहुत बड़ा घोटाला। महत्वपूर्ण प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस। LIVE https://t.co/rnIOABwtUp
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) January 6, 2025
During a rally in Delhi, Bidhuri on Sunday targeted Atishi over her surname.
“Atishi has changed her father. She used to be Marlena, now she is Singh. Her parents had filed a petition seeking clemency for Afzal Guru, the man responsible for killing young people,” he said.
The statement drew sharp criticism from Opposition leaders.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that BJP leaders have “crossed all limits of shamelessness”. “BJP leaders are using filthy language against Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi. The people of Delhi will not tolerate the insult of a female Chief Minister. All the women of Delhi will take revenge for this,” he wrote in a post on X.
AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “If he can use derogatory language for a female Chief Minister, just imagine how he would treat an ordinary woman if, by mistake, Ramesh Bidhuri becomes an MLA. The BJP is insulting women because they will blindly support their son and brother (Arvind Kejriwal). Ramesh Bidhuri will be badly defeated by this female Chief Minister.”
A few days ago, Bidhuri – who is up against Atishi from the Kalkaji seat for the Delhi assembly elections – had raked up controversy for his remarks on Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.
“I will make a road as smooth as Priyanka Gandhi’s cheek,” he had said.
However, after facing backlash, he apologised, saying, “If my words have hurt the motherly power, sisters, or anyone else, I apologise. We respect women. But I also say that Congress and AAP should first look at their deteriorating political situation.”