Ramesh Bidhuri Sparks Fresh Controversy with Remarks on Delhi CM Atishi

BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri has raised fresh controversy by targeting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, provoking sharp reactions from political rivals.

The remarks, which followed his apology over a previous comment about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, have stirred political tempers as the Delhi Assembly elections near.

Bidhuri, who is contesting the Kalkaji constituency against Atishi, took a dig at her surname change during a public address in Delhi’s Rohini.

He questioned Atishi’s decision to drop her original surname, “Marlena,” and adopt “Singh,” claiming that she had “changed her father.”

This comment recalled an earlier controversy when Atishi contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election and faced scrutiny for her name change.

“Atishi, who was Marlena, is now Singh. She has even changed her father,” Bidhuri remarked, implying that her decision was symbolic of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) character.

He further criticized Arvind Kejriwal’s earlier claims about not aligning with the corrupt Congress, likening Atishi’s surname change to Kejriwal’s political shift.

“This Marlena (Atishi) became Singh. She changed her name… This reflects the character of the Aam Aadmi Party,” he said.

Political Backlash from AAP and Arvind Kejriwal

Atishi’s political opponents were quick to seize upon these remarks. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal condemned Bidhuri’s language, accusing him and other BJP leaders of crossing all limits of decency.

“BJP leaders are hurling abuses at Delhi chief minister Atishi ji. Delhi people will not tolerate the insult of a woman chief minister. All the women in Delhi will take revenge for this,” Kejriwal posted on social media.

The AAP also expressed its outrage over the remarks, calling them “abusive” and a reflection of the BJP’s anti-women mindset. The party warned that if Bidhuri, who has been an MP for ten years, is allowed to win, ordinary women would suffer similar treatment.

“If he behaves this way now, imagine the treatment ordinary women would face if he mistakenly becomes an MLA,” the statement read.

Controversial Remarks on Priyanka Gandhi

This is not the first time Ramesh Bidhuri has sparked controversy with his comments. Earlier in the day, a video surfaced in which he made a sexist remark about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.

He compared the smoothness of the roads in Kalkaji to the “cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi,” a comment that many deemed inappropriate.

Bidhuri initially defended his statement, citing a similar remark by former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, who had once likened Bihar’s roads to the “cheeks of Hema Malini.”

However, following backlash, Bidhuri expressed regret and retracted his statement, claiming it had been misunderstood. “If anyone has been hurt, I express my regret,” he said.

Congress leader Supriya Srinate joined the criticism, calling the remarks “shameful” and reflective of an “ugly mindset” towards women.

Atishi Responds to Personal Attack

The remarks about Atishi’s father particularly upset the Delhi CM. Speaking at a press conference, Atishi broke down when asked about Bidhuri’s comments.

She expressed disbelief that a political leader would stoop so low as to attack her elderly, ailing father in an attempt to win votes.

“My father is a teacher. He is 80 years old; he is so unwell that he can’t walk without support. Is this the level that you will stoop to win an election?” she said, addressing the personal nature of the attack.

She also challenged Bidhuri to focus on his record, urging him to compare his decade-long tenure as an MP with her own five years of service as an MLA in Kalkaji. “He should seek votes based on his work,” she said, rather than resorting to personal attacks.