Ideological bankruptcy: NCP jabs Congress over 'gungi gudiya' remark on Sunetra Pawar
Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare on Wednesday attacked the Congress over its remark targeting Sunetra Pawar as a "gungi gudiya", saying the Opposition party had
Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare on Wednesday attacked the Congress over its remark targeting Sunetra Pawar as a "gungi gudiya", saying the Opposition party had shown "ideological bankruptcy". He said a mere expression of regret was not enough and that political leaders should exercise restraint in public comments. The row broke out after the Maharashtra Congress posted a video on social media on Tuesday in which NCP leader Dhananjay Munde was seen reportedly shielding Sunetra Pawar from a journalist's question on the law and order situation in Beed district. Sunetra Pawar is the guardian minister of Beed, where Munde's close aide Walmik Karad is the prime accused in the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Read Full Story The Congress described Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Sunetra Pawar as a "gungi gudiya" or silent doll, drawing a sharp reaction from the NCP. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal later said in a post on X on Tuesday night that the remark against Pawar was regrettable and the result of miscommunication. Reacting to this, Tatkare told reporters, "By making such remarks, the Congress has exposed its ideological bankruptcy. Merely expressing regret does not end the matter. At times, one must have the sense of what should and should not be said." The Lok Sabha member also appeared to caution his own party colleague Dhananjay Munde, saying only the principal speaker should address a press conference and that party leaders would act more responsibly in future.
"This should not have happened. Only the main person should speak, not those sitting beside them. Our colleagues will certainly act responsibly in such matters," he said. Tatkare said he would first understand the context in which Munde spoke, but maintained that a press conference belongs to the main dignitary. "I will understand in what context and for what reason Dhananjay Munde spoke. Ultimately, the press conference belongs to the main dignitary. It is fine to sit beside them, but participating in the press conference while sitting at the side is, in my opinion, not appropriate," he said. He added, "A press conference is held in the name of the main person.
They alone should interact with the media. That is the essence of such an interaction." Tatkare also said that even when journalists direct questions to those seated beside him during his own press conferences, he insists that they be addressed to him. "This is the norm from both sides, and our colleagues will certainly behave more responsibly on such occasions in the future," he said, as the NCP sought to respond to the Congress remark against Sunetra Pawar and underline how party leaders should conduct themselves during media interactions. Ends
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