Former MP and Congress leader Udit Raj has landed in hot water for his tweet about President Droupadi Murmu, stating that “no country should have such a President.” The BJP has lashed out at the Congress leader, questioning whether the party supports the insult. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted, “Udit Raj uses unacceptable language for the 1st woman Adivasi President! Does the Congress endorse this insult of Adivasi samaj?”
Udit Raj is the third Congress leader to face criticism for comments about President Droupadi Murmu, the other two being Ajoy Kumar and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
“After Ajoy Kumar called President Draupadi Murmu as evil & then Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary used the term ‘Rashtrapatni’ now Congress stoops to a new low!” the BJP spokesperson tweeted.
The Congress leader slammed the President for her remarks on salt made during her visit to Gujarat on Monday. According to the President, Gujarat produces 76% of the country’s salt, which is consumed by all Indians.
“No country should get a president like that,” the Congress leader tweeted. As the tweet created a furore, Udit Raj said those were his personal comments and not to be taken as the party’s stand. “Her candidature & campaign were in the name adivasi, it doesn’t mean she is no longer adivasi. My heart cries that when SC/ST reach to higher position, they ditch their communities & become mum,” he said.
Shehzad Poonawalla stated that issuing a statement does not absolve Udit Raj or the Congress. “Simply tweeting that this is a personal statement will not suffice! Congress must tell us whether or not they will ACT ON UDIT RAJ’s Adivasi Virodhi statement. This is the third strike against Murmu ji following the statements of Ajoy Kumar and Adhir Ranjan! It’s not a Sanyog! It is the INC mindset “Poonawalla penned the piece.
According to BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, the words used for President Murmu are concerning and unfortunate. “This isn’t the first time they’ve used such language. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress Party also did it. This reflects their anti-tribal stance, according to Patra.
Before the presidential election, when Droupadi Murmu was the NDA’s candidate, Congress leader Ajoy Kumar said she represented India’s “evil philosophy.” The Congress leader also stated that he respects Droupadu Murmu and that his remarks were not directed at him.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress MP, was then chastised for referring to the President as “Rashtrapatni,” for which he later apologised and said it was an error.