Priyanka laughs off BJP leader’s sexism; Congress demands apology

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacted with grace by laughing off at BJP leader Vinay Katiyar's sexist remarks on her, and at the same time with a political masterstroke hit the BJP by saying these comments only "expose the BJP's mindset towards women."

Earlier in the day, BJP's Rajya Sabha member Katiyar, when asked by a TV journalist whether Priyanka Gandhi would make a huge difference to the campaign for the Uttar Pradesh elections, he said: "No, I don't think that's a factor. There are more beautiful star campaigners...heroines, artistes...they are better."

"He exposes the BJP's mindset towards the better half of the population of India," Priyanka Gandhi was quoted as saying.

Katiyar didn't seem to understand that statement though and even as BJP spokespersons were trying hard to defend him, he continued on the same plane by trying to deflect blame on the journalist. He alleged he was replying to a question asked on Priyanka's looks, but when NDTV played back the video, he still went on deflecting. He refused to apologise for his remarks, and removed the mike to walk out of the interview.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala though demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, saying that Kaṭiyar's "disparaging and atrocious" remarks on Priyanka reflected the "petty and insulting culture of BJP that commodifies women." He accused the BJP and RSS of suffering from a "deep-rooted and retrograde anti-women mindset."

Katiyar's comments, incidentally, come after another sexist statement by JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, who had said on Tuesday that the honour of a vote was "more important" than the honour of a daughter. "If a daughter loses honour, the village loses its honour. But if a vote is sold, the nation will lose its honour," Yadav had said in Patna. Ironically, Katiyar had condemned that statement.

However, the Katiyar episode, apart from the BJP's "mindset", also perhaps reveals a lurking nervousness in the ruling party with the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a star campaigner for the Congress. It may be recalled that during the 2014 general elections, whenever the BJP attacked her, she made searing comebacks almost on a daily basis. Realising that the BJP was losing the verbal battle, the party retreated and decided to stop the attacks. At that time, Priyanka used to restrict her campaigning to the family bastions of Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha constituencies. Now, however, the Congress star campaigners list featuring her name for multiple phases of polling, suggests Priyanka will expand her campaign beyond these two districts.

By Wednesday evening, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu unequivocally distanced the BJP from Vinay Katiyar’s remarks.

Ironically, Tuesday, January 24 was National Girl Child Day.