The Budget Session of Parliament started with a fresh controversy after Congress MP Sonia Gandhi referred to President Droupadi Murmu as a “poor thing” while commenting on her address. The remark, which came after Mrs. Gandhi expressed concern about the President appearing exhausted, sparked backlash from the BJP, which labeled it a “derogatory comment” and demanded an apology.
President Droupadi Murmu’s Address to Parliament
To mark the commencement of the Budget Session, President Murmu delivered a joint address to both Houses of Parliament. As part of tradition, the 66-year-old President gave a long speech outlining key government initiatives and policies.
Sonia Gandhi’s Controversial Remark
Following the address, Sonia Gandhi, a senior Congress leader and former party chief, was approached by reporters outside Parliament. When asked for her reaction to the President’s speech, she remarked, “The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing.”
Her comment was made in the presence of her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, both of whom are Members of Parliament.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly criticized Sonia Gandhi’s remark, calling it disrespectful towards India’s first tribal President. The ruling party has demanded an official apology, arguing that such comments undermine the dignity of the constitutional office.
As the controversy unfolds, the remark has added political tension to the ongoing Budget Session, with debates expected to follow in Parliament.
What Did The Internet Say?
Just look at that entitled attitude ! Pappu says President’s speech was boring md repeating same thing again nd again,did he go there for entertainment? Antonia says condescendingly abt the President that she could barely speak nd was tired nd then insults by further saying poor…
— Lotus 🪷🇮🇳 (@LotusBharat) January 31, 2025
How horrible !! . This entire family thinks , they are the supreme power , they can say anything to anyone . What has your mother achieved #RaGa to even say this to our Hon.President of India #DraupadiMurmu ji, #Shameful
— Ankita (@Cric_gal) January 31, 2025
This Family Will Never Respect the Indian Institutions.
They Don’t know how to Tolerate ordinary people sitting on high constitutional positions.
Forgive them India!!— Sukhwinder Singh Parmar (@sukhparmar03) January 31, 2025
Poor thing is not President of India. President of India is supreme commander of our armed forces.shame sonia shame shame
— Himanshu Jain (Modi ka Parivar) (@HemanNamo) January 31, 2025