Atishi breaks down responding to Bidhuri’s remarks on surname

Delhi CM Atishi on Monday broke down while responding to the remarks made by the BJP candidate from Kalkaji Assembly constituency Ramesh Bidhuri. “Why abuse my old, ailing father?” she said.

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Bidhuri in a rally on Sunday took a jibe at CM’s surname who had changed it from ‘Marlena’ to ‘Singh’, the former said, “Atishi, who was Marlena, is now Singh. She has even changed her father.” His comments saw sharp reactions from the AAP accusing Bidhuri and the BJP of misogyny.

Atishi broke down in front of reporters, she said, “My father dedicated his entire life to teaching and shaping the futures of thousands of underprivileged children in Delhi. Today, at 80 years, he is battling serious health issues and can barely walk or speak without support. Yet, for the sake of political gains, Ramesh Bidhuri ji has stooped so low as to attack an elderly man. Is this what our politics has become?”

Former MP from South Delhi, Bidhuri has been courting controversies. On Sunday, a video went viral on social media, wherein he was seen making sexist remarks against MP and senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

“Lalu said in Bihar that he would make roads like Hema Malini’s cheeks, but he lied, he could not do it. I assure you that just as we made the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will make all the roads in Kalkaji like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks,” he had remarked.

Following an uproar from the opposition parties, he apologised for his statement. However, later in the day, he attacked Delhi CM at a rally.

“How can anyone justify such indecency? Instead of discussing his work as a ten-year MP from South Delhi, he resorts to hurling abuse at a man who can’t even defend himself.” Atishi further said.

She called on Ramesh Bidhuri to focus on showcasing his contributions to his constituency rather than resorting to personal attacks. “If he believes he has done better work than me as MLA, let him present that to the people. Why doesn’t he tell the people of Kalkaji what he has done for them during his tenure?” she questioned.

AAP leaders also hit out at Bidhuri. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in a post on X said, “Atishi ji, you are an inspiration for all the women of Delhi. By abusing you, BJP has not only insulted you but every woman of Delhi. Every woman of Delhi will give a befitting reply to BJP for this insult.”

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed that he was the CM face for the BJP, “They (BJP) have made up their minds that the true face of the BJP, the real face of its Chief Ministerial candidate, is Ramesh Bidhuri. It is now for the people of Delhi, for mothers and sisters, to decide... They can contest elections against us—that’s fine. But when it comes to respecting women, Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP do not compromise.”