'Elitist, anti-tribal': Sonia Gandhi stokes row over 'poor thing' remark on President Droupadi Murmu

Sonia Gandhi, Rajya Sabha MP and Congress parliamentary party chairperson. (PTI)

Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's remarks regarding President Droupadi Murmu after the former's address to a joint sitting of the Parliament has led to a political furore with the Bharatiya Janata Party coming down heavily on the Rajya Sabha MP and the grand old party.

Walking out of the Parliament along with her children -- Lok Sabha MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra -- Sonia referred to the President's address to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the opening day of the Budget session of Parliament.

"The President was getting very tired by the end...She could hardly speak, poor thing..." said Gandhi, according to ANI.

#WATCH | Delhi | After the President's address to the Parliament, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi says,"...The President was getting very tired by the end...She could hardly speak, poor thing..." pic.twitter.com/o6cwoeYFdE

ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2025

The remarks have come in for severe criticism from leaders of the BJP. Referring to Gandhi's remarks, BJP president JP Nadda condemned the remarks and said it displayed the anti-poor and anti-Dalit mindset of the Congress party.

"I and every BJP Karyakarta STRONGLY CONDEMNS the usage of the phrase "poor thing" by Smt. Sonia Gandhi for Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu Ji. The deliberate usage of such words shows the elitist, anti-poor and anti-tribal nature of the Congress Party. I demand that the Congress Party unconditionally apologise to the Honourable President and the tribal communities of India," Nadda said.

Former Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhis use of the phrase poor thing to refer to the President is deeply disrespectful and underscores the oppositions continued disregard for the dignity of the highest constitutional office. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 31, 2025

The remarks also drew condemnation from Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri who alleged that the Congress has scant respect for the Republic including the Head of State.

"Sonia Gandhi Ji’s comment on the President of India, is shocking beyond belief. Referring to her in such a condescending and derogatory way is appalling. One is beginning to wonder if Congress is a political party in a functioning democracy, or is it a set of entitled and arrogant people with scant respect for institutions of our Republic, including the Head of State," he said.

Puri further said that the use of terms like "boring" and "tired old" reflects the elitist mindset of the Congress party. "Have they no shame? To use terms like ‘boring’ and ‘tired old’ for the first ever tribal lady to grace the country’s highest office and who exudes the finest values reflects the elitist entitled mindset of the congress party and members of its first family," he added.

Lok Sabha MP and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also slammed the Congress leader's remarks and said: "Today is a historic day when the country's President, Droupadi Murmu, presented a comprehensive account of India’s future and development. However, it is unfortunate that just a while ago, senior Congress leader and former party president Sonia Gandhi made an inappropriate comment. She said that President Droupadi Murmu appeared very tired during her whole speech and referred to her as a ‘poor thing.’ I want to make it absolutely clear—Murmu ji can never be a ‘poor thing.’ If there is any ‘poor thing’ in Indian politics, it is Rahul Gandhi. He is that ‘poor thing’ whom the Congress Party repeatedly tries to launch, but the poor thing never gets launched.”

Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Andhra BJP vice president, sought to remind the Congress of how former PM Manmohan Singh was brought to Parliament in a wheel-chair for voting on the contentious Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

"Let’s not forget how Congress shamelessly dragged former PM Manmohan Singh in a wheelchair to Rajya Sabha just for a vote. Hypocrisy and exploitation have always been Congress’ trademarks!" he said.

The Telangana unit of the BJP also condemned the remarks by Sonia Gandhi and said the remarks amounted to an insult to President Droupadi Murmu. "Such a statement directed at the first Adivasi woman to hold the esteemed office of President of India is an insult to the dignity and achievements of tribal communities, particularly tribal women. It reflects a disgusting elitist and colonial mindset that undermines the principles of inclusivity and respect enshrined in our democratic ethos," it posted on its X handle.