A political controversy erupted in Maharashtra after the Congress used the term “gungi gudiya” (mute doll) in a social media post targeting Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, drawing strong criticism from leaders of the ruling MahaYuti alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the remark, accusing the opposition party of resorting to personal attacks and lowering political standards.

Reacting to the controversy, Fadnavis said the Congress had made the comment out of frustration over repeated political setbacks. He alleged that using derogatory language against a senior woman leader and Deputy Chief Minister reflected a lack of political decency. Fadnavis added that the opposition was unable to accept the support and public response received by the MahaYuti government.

Eknath Shinde also criticised the Congress over the remark and said the party should feel ashamed for using such language against Sunetra Pawar. He said women across Maharashtra, referred to by the government as “Ladki Bahins,” had already responded to what he described as disrespectful political behaviour. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders also strongly objected to the comment, accusing Congress of insulting the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister.

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NCP leader Dhananjay Munde launched a sharp attack on Congress, saying the phrase reflected hostility towards Sunetra Pawar. He recalled that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had also faced the same description from political opponents during her career but later proved herself through leadership. Munde claimed that Sunetra Pawar was facing similar criticism because of expectations that she could establish herself as a strong political figure.

Munde also defended Sunetra Pawar’s public role, saying that despite personal challenges, she continued meeting citizens and addressing public concerns. He expressed disappointment over media coverage surrounding an emotional moment when she recalled her late husband and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal defended the remark, saying it was intended as political criticism over what he described as silence on important public issues rather than a personal insult.

The controversy intensified after NCP workers protested at the Maharashtra Congress office in South Mumbai, demanding an apology from the party. Similar demonstrations were reported in other parts of the state, including Thane and Pune. NCP leader Suraj Chavan accused Congress of disrespecting women and warned of further protests if an apology was not issued. The dispute has added to the ongoing political tensions between Congress and the NCP factions in Maharashtra.

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