'Roads like Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks': BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri defends remarks, Congress demands apology

The Congress on Sunday, i.e., January 5, came down heavily upon Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) MLA candidate Ramesh Bidhuri's remarks about Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi during a rally in the national capital. 

"Lalu said that in Bihar, he would make the roads as smooth as Hema Malini's cheeks. Lalu lied; he couldn't do it. But I assure you, just like we improved the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will definitely make all the roads in Kalkaji as smooth as Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks", Bidhuri said while addressing a public rally in Delhi's Kalkaji, where he has been fielded from. 

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate slammed Bidhuri's remarks, accusing the saffron party of fostering an "anti-woman" mentality. 

BJP घोर महिला विरोधी है

रमेश बिधूड़ी का प्रियंका गांधी जी के संदर्भ में दिया बयान शर्मनाक ही नहीं उनकी औरतों के बारे में कुत्सित मानसिकता दिखाता है

लेकिन जिस आदमी ने सदन में अपने साथी सांसद को गंदी गालियां दी हों, और कोई सज़ा ना मिली हो उससे और क्या उम्मीद की जा सकती है?… pic.twitter.com/JRdC9bxzrw

— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) January 5, 2025

"Ramesh Bidhuri's statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only shameful but also shows his disgusting mentality towards women. But what else can be expected from a man who used foul language against his fellow MP in the House and did not receive any punishment? This is the real face of the BJP", Shrinate wrote in a post on 'X'. 

The Congress leader also demanded an apology from the BJP candidate as well as the party's top leadership. "Not only should Ramesh Bidhuri, but also the BJP's top leadership should apologise with folded hands. Because this matter not only pertains to Priyankaji's humiliation, but also this is about the women of the country". 

Meanwhile, he also backed his remarks, saying, "Hema Malini is also a woman, those who made mistake first should apologise first. She was from a simple family, she is not a woman, and the one who is from a known family, is a woman, how is it possible? Congress should rectify first, then we will also rectify. BJP doesn't make false promises. There are 140 crore common people, is it not a big thing when comments are made against them. Hema Malini is from south, does that mean that she is not a woman, everybody should get respect. Congress should clear, Lalu ji was in his cabinet, they should have made him apologise, they did not ask for it because she was from a simple family. It is their hypocrisy. Nehru family has spoiled the country in 70 years. The country has rejected them". 

VIDEO | BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri (@rameshbidhuri) on his remark against Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi says, "Hema Malini is also a woman, those who made mistake first should apologise first. She was from a simple family, she is not a woman, and the one who is from a known… pic.twitter.com/i6vvX7bnvR

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2025 

Ramesh Bidhuri is a former BJP MP and an MLA candidate from Delhi's Kalkaji, where he is set to contest against Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi in the forthcoming assembly polls.