Sule Slams ‘Gungi Gudiya’ Remark, Says Congress Leadership Disowns It
She said the MPs would raise issues including water shortages, farmer suicides and the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation.
Mumbai:NCP (SP) working president and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule on Saturday called the Maharashtra Congress’ “Gungi Gudiya” (silent doll) remark against Deputy Chief Minister and NCP national president Sunetra Pawar inappropriate. She said the Congress’ national leadership had clarified that the post was made by the party’s Maharashtra IT cell and did not reflect the Congress’ official stand.
Ms. Sule, who is also Ms. Pawar’s sister-in-law, said she had raised the issue with the Congress central leadership and thanked it for clarifying its position. “The statement made by the Maharashtra Congress about Sunetra Pawar was inappropriate. I spoke to the Congress leadership about it and thank them for clarifying their position. Within half an hour of my discussion with the leadership, the Congress made it clear that the post was made by the Maharashtra Congress’ local IT cell and did not represent the national Congress’ position,” she said.
The controversy erupted after the Maharashtra Congress posted a video clip of Ms. Pawar’s press conference on X, showing NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde preventing her from taking questions from reporters about the law-and-order situation in Beed district in the Marathwada region. The post was captioned: “How long will Sunetra Pawar remain Gungi Gudiya (silent doll)?”
The remark drew sharp criticism from the NCP and its alliance partner, the BJP. However, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and other party leaders subsequently backed the remark. NCP workers staged protests against the Congress and Mr. Sapkal at several places across the State.
Mr. Sapkal defended the post, saying that the term “Gungi Gudiya” was not objectionable. Following the criticism, he said he had tried to speak to Ms. Pawar but could not establish contact. “It is a misunderstanding. Do not take it personally,” he said.
Mr. Sapkal also said that Ms. Pawar had spoken to him five times over the phone when the Baramati bypoll was scheduled.
Ms. Sule also said that eight NCP (SP) MPs would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his office in Parliament on Monday at 11 a.m. to raise key issues concerning Maharashtra. “The delegation will meet the Prime Minister to raise serious issues concerning Maharashtra,” she said.
She said the MPs would raise issues including water shortages, farmer suicides and the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation.
