Union minister Smriti Irani hit back against a Congress leader's shocking "latkas" and "jhatkas" comment with a sharp takedown of the party and Rahul Gandhi, the prospects of whose contesting from Amethi had led to the controversy.
Tagging Mr Gandhi, Ms Irani responded on Twitter. "Heard one of your provincial leaders have announced in an indecent manner that you would contest from Amethi in 2024. So is it definite that you will contest from Amethi? You won't run off to another seat? You won't be afraid??? PS: You & Mummy ji need to get your mysoginistic goons a new speechwriter," read a rough translation of her Hindi tweet.
The leader she referred to was UP Congress leader Ajai Rai. Ms Irani, who currently represents Amethi in Lok Sabha, comes to the constituency only to show "latkas" and "jhatkas", Ajai Rai had said in a pejorative reference to dance moves.
Asked whether Mr Gandhi will make a bid to win back Amethi, he had initially answered in the affirmative.
"It (Amethi) has been the seat of the Gandhi family. Rahul ji has been the Lok Sabha MP from there, so has been Rajiv (Gandhi) ji and Sanjay (Gandhi) ji, and they have served it," Ajai Rai had said.
Then he added, "Most of the factories in Amethi are on the verge of closure. Half of the factories in Jagdishpur industrial area are lying shut. Smriti Irani only comes, shows 'latka-jhatka', and leaves".
The BJP had reacted sharply, saying such a comment was "shameful" for a party that gave the country its first woman Prime Minister and was headed for a long time by a woman.
"The language used by the Congress has always been anti-women. It shows the culture and mindset of the Congress. And a party, which has given a woman prime minister to the nation, and which was headed by a woman president for a long time, such statements from its leader, is definitely shameful," said UP BJP spokesperson Anand Dubey.
The Congress has not reacted to Mr Rai's remark or responded to the BJP attacks. Mr Gandhi is currently in Rajasthan, leading his Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Featured Video Of The Day
Person In Constitutional Post Trying To Destroy Economy: Jagdeep Dhankhar Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP "Freedom Is Our Shield": Rahul Gandhi's Independence Day Message To Nation Mamata Banerjee's Sunday Ultimatum To CBI For Death Penalty In Rape-Murder How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan "Prove With Pics Crime Scene Intact": Court To Bengal Over Hospital Vandalism Will Back Any Candidate Announced As Chief Minister Face: Uddhav Thackeray Trump, Musk, And The Importance Of 'Exaggeration' In Storytelling India Post GDS Merit List 2024 To Be Released Soon Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.