‘Sorry,’ Congress tells Pawar over Goongi Gudiya remark

MUMBAI: The state Congress has apologised to deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar for referring to her as “Goongi Gudiya” (silent doll), saying the apology was made in the interest of maintaining political decency

MUMBAI: The state Congress has apologised to deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar for referring to her as “Goongi Gudiya” (silent doll), saying the apology was made in the interest of maintaining political decency.

‘Sorry,’ Congress tells Pawar over Goongi Gudiya remark

State Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal told the media on Saturday that the party regrets the jibe. “I tried to speak to Sunetra ji to clear up this misunderstanding but could not establish a dialogue,” he said. “I believe one must maintain decency. When the Baramati bye-election was held, the chief minister spoke to me five times and we had a good dialogue on ensuring an unopposed election.’’

The “Goongi Gudiya” remark was posted on the state Congress’s social media a few days ago, after Pawar, who is also the NCP chief, addressed the media in Beed. When the media sought answers on the law-and-order situation in the district, NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde shielded Pawar from taking further questions. Pawar then left the room.

The Congress posted a clip from the press conference on its social media handle, captioned, “How long will Sunetra Pawar remain Gungi Gudiya (silent doll)?”

This drew a swift backlash from the NCP, which reminded the Congress that the term had been used to describe former prime minister Indira Gandhi. Defending the party then, Sapkal had said, “She is being detrimental to democratic values and public discourse by choosing not to answer questions and allowing an MLA to silence journalists on her behalf.”

He went on to accuse the deputy chief minister of choosing to remain silent on issues such as the demand for an investigation into the plane crash that claimed her husband’s life, and staying silent when the state finance department was not returned to her party.

But, on Saturday, the state Congress was repentant. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “Sapkal saheb has expressed regret and the matter has ended.’’

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule claims the apology came soon after she spoke to the Congress leadership, pointing out that the remark was inappropriate. “The Congress made a statement in half an hour,’’ said Sule.

Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said, “The Congress must set the level of discourse and not stoop so low.’’