Priyanka Gandhi Calls Sonia’s Remarks on President Murmu “Misinterpreted”

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 31st Jan. Amidst the controversy surrounding Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s remarks about President Droupadi Murmu after her Parliament address, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra came to her mother’s defense, asserting that the comments were being misinterpreted.

The controversy erupted after a video clip surfaced where Sonia Gandhi, speaking informally with her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka, was heard commenting on the apparent exhaustion of President Murmu after her speech.

“The poor lady, the President, was getting very tired by the end… she could hardly speak, poor thing,” Sonia Gandhi was heard saying. This remark, interpreted by BJP leaders as derogatory, quickly sparked a political row, with the ruling party accusing the Congress leader of showing disrespect towards India’s first tribal President.

In response to the backlash, Priyanka Gandhi clarified that there was no ill-intent behind her mother’s words. “My mother is a 78-year-old lady, she has simply said that ‘the President read such a long speech and she must have been tired, poor thing.’ She fully respects the President of India. I think it is very unfortunate that this kind of thing is twisted by the media. They both are two respected people and older than us. She means no disrespect,” Priyanka said in her defense.

She further criticized the BJP, stating, “BJP should first apologize for pushing this into a gorge.”

Meanwhile, the President’s office issued a formal statement condemning the remarks, calling them “unacceptable” and stating that they “clearly hurt the dignity of the high office.” The statement emphasized that President Murmu was not tired at any point during her speech, adding that speaking for marginalized communities and women was never tiring for her. It also suggested that Congress leaders may not have fully understood the idioms used in Hindi, leading to the misinterpretation.

The statement concluded, “In any case, such comments are in poor taste, unfortunate, and entirely avoidable.”

BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took to social media to condemn the remarks. PM Modi described the comments as “totally inappropriate,” accusing Congress of maintaining an “arrogant” and “elitist” mindset. “This remark insults not just the President but also every poor and tribal community,” Modi added.

BJP President JP Nadda called for an unconditional apology, referring to the comments as “deeply disrespectful.” He also highlighted how the opposition, led by the Congress, had mocked the empowerment of backward classes and women, a transformation they attributed to Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Dharmendra Pradhan also joined in the criticism, with Rijiju emphasizing the President’s strength as a tribal woman who has worked for the country and society in ways Congress leaders could not imagine.