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Photograph: X (formerly Twitter)
A political firestorm has ignited after Congress leader Sonia Gandhi allegedly described President Droupadi Murmu’s 2025 Budget Session speech with the words, “The President could barely speak, poor thing.” The remark, made after a joint parliamentary session, triggered fierce condemnation from BJP leaders, including party chief JP Nadda, who accused Sonia Gandhi and the Congress of perpetuating an 'elitist, anti-poor, and anti-tribal attitude.' The controversy has intensified debates over respect for India’s first tribal woman President, with the BJP demanding accountability.
How Sonia Gandhi-Droupadi Murmu Controversy Erupted
The uproar began earlier in the day when Sonia Gandhi, a former Congress president, spoke to reporters outside Parliament. Asked about President Murmu’s address, she reportedly remarked, “The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing.” Sonia Gandhi was flanked by her children, Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Rahul Gandhi further dismissed the speech as “boring” and criticised it for “repeating the same thing again and again.”
BJP Condemns Sonia Gandhi’s Remarks Against President Murmu
The BJP swiftly condemned Sonia Gandhi’s statement, accusing her of disrespecting President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman who holds the highest office in the country. BJP National President, JP Nadda, voiced his concerns, saying, “Former Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi’s use of the phrase ‘poor thing’ to refer to the President is deeply disrespectful and underscores the opposition’s continued disregard for the dignity of the highest constitutional office. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. While the President was highlighting the government’s achievements, the opposition—driven by its feudal mindset—chose instead to mock the empowerment of backward classes and women, a transformation brought about under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.”
Former Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi’s use of the phrase “poor thing” to refer to the President is deeply disrespectful and underscores the opposition’s continued disregard for the dignity of the highest constitutional office. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated…
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 31, 2025
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the remarks, stating, "... I condemn the comments made by Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Our President, a tribal woman, is not weak. Droupadi Murmu has worked extensively for the country and society, and they cannot even imagine the kind of work she has done. They should apologise to her..."
#WATCH | On Congress MP Sonia Gandhi's statement on President Droupadi Murmu, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "... I condemn the comments made by Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Our President, a tribal woman, is not weak... Droupadi Murmu has worked… pic.twitter.com/d5R3n8ULYa
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2025
BJP MP Sambit Patra also expressed his disapproval, stating, "It is unfortunate that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi made such an inappropriate comment on President Droupadi Murmu. She called her a 'poor thing' which translates to 'bechari'. The President can never be 'poor thing'. The position she holds and where she comes from, she can never be a 'poor thing'. She is empowered and capable. If anything, Rahul Gandhi is the only 'poor thing' in the country..."
#WATCH | On Congress MP Sonia Gandhi's statement on President Droupadi Murmu, BJP MP Sambit Patra says, "... It is unfortunate that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi made such an inappropriate comment on President Droupadi Murmu... She called her a 'poor thing' which translates to… pic.twitter.com/mBJb3SZQbt
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2025
BJP IT Department head Amit Malviya escalated the criticism on social media, writing, “Sonia Gandhi’s ‘poor thing’ jibe demeans the President’s office. Congress has repeatedly ridiculed India’s first tribal woman President. Rahul Gandhi, despite flaunting the Constitution, hasn’t even visited her. The party has zero regard for Dalits, OBCs, or Tribals.”
Sonia Gandhi referring to the President as a ‘poor thing’ demeans the high office and reflects her feudal mindset. This is not the first time the Congress has ridiculed the first tribal woman to hold the highest constitutional office in the country.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 31, 2025
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of…
As the political storm intensified, BJP leaders remained vocal in their criticism of Sonia Gandhi’s remarks, asserting that her comments were rooted in an elitist mindset. The controversy continues to spark debates about the treatment of India’s first tribal woman President, with BJP leaders insisting on an apology and emphasising the significance of President Droupadi Murmu’s role in empowering marginalised communities.