Senior Congress Leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has strongly condemned remarks made by Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Jagdish Vishwakarma against Banaskantha Member of Parliament Geniben Thakor, calling them “shameful and insulting” and intensifying an ongoing political controversy.

In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi criticised the BJP leader’s comments, stating that such remarks reflected poorly on the party’s stance toward women in public life. She referred to Thakor as a senior Congress leader and expressed solidarity, saying she stood with her and admired her courage. Gandhi’s response comes amid growing reactions from political leaders over the alleged tone and content of Vishwakarma’s statements.

Gandhi further accused the BJP of maintaining a contradictory approach to women’s issues. She alleged that while the party promotes initiatives in support of women, its leaders often make derogatory comments that undermine those claims. Highlighting this perceived inconsistency, she described the BJP’s messaging on women’s empowerment as misleading and “anti-women” in practice.

The controversy stems from remarks made by Vishwakarma during a Vijay Vishwas Sammelan held in Chadotar village in Palanpur, located in Banaskantha district of Gujarat. Addressing party workers, the BJP leader criticised Thakor’s position and suggested that women voters would respond politically in the future. His comments, particularly references perceived as personal or inappropriate, sparked backlash from opposition leaders.

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The incident has gained attention against the backdrop of a broader national debate on women’s political representation. Discussions have intensified following developments related to the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, which aimed to expedite the implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in legislatures. The bill, however, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha on April 17, adding further context to the political tensions.

As reactions continue to emerge, the episode underscores the charged political climate surrounding gender issues and electoral rhetoric in India. Both the Congress and BJP are likely to continue leveraging the controversy as part of their broader political narratives, particularly as discussions on women’s reservation and representation remain central to public discourse.

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