The Maharashtra Congress came under fire on Tuesday after it referred to Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as a "gungi gudiya" (mute doll), triggering a sharp response from the NCP, which asked whether the Opposition party now endorsed the infamous jibe once used against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the Congress should be ashamed of its remarks against Maharashtra's first woman deputy CM, and said it was an insult to women in the state.
The issue flared after the Congress posted a video on social media in which NCP leader Dhananjay Munde reportedly shielded Sunetra Pawar from a journalist's question about the law and order situation in Beed district, labelling her a "gungi gudiya".
Pawar is the guardian minister of Beed district, where Munde's close aide Walmik Karad is the prime accused in the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
"Sunetra Pawar, how many more days will she remain a 'gungi gudiya'?" the Congress stated in the post.
Hitting back, NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil asked if the Opposition party was indirectly admitting that criticism of late Indira Gandhi was justified.
"While democracy allows differences of opinion and even sharp criticism of policies, language that demeans women does not befit any political party," Patil said.
He questioned if the Congress, by using the term 'gungi gudiya' against Sunetra Pawar, was indirectly endorsing the criticism once directed at former prime minister Indira Gandhi.
"Does this mean the Congress is now indirectly admitting that the criticism levelled against the late Indira Gandhi at the time was justified?" he asked.
The Congress, with its "objectionable" social media post, appeared to be contradicting its own political legacy, he claimed.
Patil said that Indira Gandhi had responded to criticism through her leadership and achievements, particularly during the Bangladesh Liberation War and through her decisive approach to national security, which earned her recognition as a global leader.
He urged the Congress to withdraw the expression and uphold the tradition of maintaining dignity and respect in public political discourse.
Meanwhile, when asked about the "gungi gudiya" comment, NCP (SP) leader and Sunetra Pawar's nephew, Rohit Pawar, said, "The context should also be considered. A journalist wanted to ask her a question, and a local leader prevented him from doing his job, and Sunetra Pawar kept mum, despite having the power to prevent injustice."
He said that late Indira Gandhi's critics used the term "gungi gudiya" for her, but she proved them wrong through her work.
Hitting out at the Congress, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the party should feel ashamed for the remarks it made against the state's first woman deputy CM.
"This is an insult to all 'ladki bahins' in the state. In the 2024 assembly polls, 'ladki bahins' have shown what they can do," he told reporters.
(With inputs from PTI)