'Ridiculous, unnecessary': Priyanka Vadra on Ramesh Bidhuri's sexist 'cheeks' remark

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ramesh Bidhuri over his recent sexist 'cheeks' remark, terming it "ridiculous" and "unnecessary".

"It is a ridiculous remark. He never spoke about his cheeks. All this is unnecessary. During the elections, we should talk about the important issues of the people of Delhi," Vadra said.

The controversy erupted after Bidhuri claimed that BJP would develop Kalkaji's roads to match "Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks" if elected to power. He is the BJP candidate from Kalkaji seat agaisnt AAP's Atishi in the upcoming Delhi elections.

AAP parliamentarian Sanjay Singh circulated a video containing Bidhuri's alleged statements.

Bidhuri, however, defended his remark saying the remark referenced Lalu Yadav's comments, noting Congress's silence when similar statements were made during his ministerial tenure.

Bidhuri is also under fire for a remark made on January 5 about CM Atishi's surname and family background.

"Atishi, who was Marlena, is now Singh. She has even changed her father," Bidhuri stated.

Arvind Kejriwal responded on X stating that BJP leaders have exceeded "all limits of shamelessness" and are "abusing" Chief Minister Atishi.

He added that Delhi's citizens would respond appropriately to BJP in the forthcoming assembly elections.

Atishi also broke down during a press conference over the remark and hit out at Bidhuri for "dirty politics" involving her old and father.

Delhi's elections are set for February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8.

The incumbent AAP, having secured overwhelming victories in previous terms with 67 and 62 seats out of 70, now confronts strong opposition from both BJP and Congress.