BJP CALLS FOR DEBATE WITH AAP ON RURAL ISSUES

An ugly fight erupted over former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramesh Bidhuri's comments on Delhi chief minister Atishi, days before the assembly elections are to be announced, souring political discourse in a campaign already riven by a string of derogatory personal attacks.

- Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI:

On Monday, Atishi broke down during a press conference as she responded to Bidhuri's remarks and lamented at how the political discourse had "stooped so low" in the country.

At a rally in Rohini on Sunday, Bidhuri commented on the CM's surname. "Marlena (Atishi) has changed her father. Earlier she was Marlena, now she has become Singh. This is their character," he said.

This was a day after he had made another sexist remark at a rally against Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, where he had said: "Lalu had said that he will develop roads in Bihar as smooth as Hema Malini's cheeks. Lalu had lied. But I assure you just as we made the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will make all the roads in Kalkaji, Sudhar camp, inner and outer roads like Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks."

Bidhuri, a two-time Lok Sabha MP from South Delhi and three-time legislator, is the BJP's candidate from Kalkaji, where Atishi is contesting on an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket, while Congress has fielded Alka Lamba.

Addressing the media on Monday, an emotional Atishi spoke about her father.