BJP launched a fresh attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his party's stance on women's rights and alleged sexist remarks. Former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who recently quit the saffron party, also joined in the tirade as he accused the Congress MP of endorsing "misogyny, sexism and patriarchy".
Poonawalla and BJP were responding to Rahul Gandhi's call to "smash the patriarchy" during his party's 'Chhatro ki Goonj' programme in Pune.
In a scathing attack, Poonawalla said, "You pretty much endorsed misogyny, sexism and patriarchy when you & Sandeep Dikshit made that crass comment on Meloni. So cut the crap."
Deep Dive
What were Shehzad Poonawalla's criticisms of Rahul Gandhi at the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event?
How did the BJP respond to Rahul Gandhi's call to 'smash patriarchy'?
What is the significance of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the context of the political exchanges between BJP and Congress?
The BJP accused Congress of always taking a stand against women's right, citing a long list of instances which it deemed as anti-women. The saffron party said Congress opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Triple Talaq Bill, Draupadi Murmu' candidature for President.
It further alleged that Congress leaders made abusive remarks against PM Modi's late mother, senior leaders made misogynistic remarks against women.
Shehzad Poonawalla continues attacks on Rahul Gandhi
Poonawalla, who has resigned from all posts from BJP, has said that he will remain a "lifelong follower of PM Narendra Modi". He has also continued to train his guns on Congress and Rahul Gandhi.
{{/usCountry}}Poonawalla, who has resigned from all posts from BJP, has said that he will remain a "lifelong follower of PM Narendra Modi". He has also continued to train his guns on Congress and Rahul Gandhi.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier on Wednesday, Poonawalla said Gandhi would never become the Prime Minister of India. “Rahul Gandhi will never be PM of India till I am alive,” Poonawalla wrote on X. “Tareeka badla hai, maqsad nahi” (The method has changed, not the objective). He was responding to a post that read, “Shehzad Poonawala is still destroying Congress left right & centre.”
Shehzad Poonawalla political journey
Poonawalla began his political journey as a Congress volunteer around 2008 while he was still a student. He later served as vice-president of the Pune unit of the party’s student wing, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and as secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
He broke ties with the Congress in 2017 after criticising the party’s internal presidential election process, alleging that it was “rigged” in favour of Rahul Gandhi. He joined the BJP the same year.