"She could hardly speak, poor thing": Sonia Gandhi stokes controversy while responding to Rahul's 'boring' jab at President's speech

A remark by senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi regarding President Droupadi Murmu’s address to Parliament has ignited a political debate. The comment, made after the President’s speech at the commencement of the Budget session, has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has called it "derogatory."

Sonia Gandhi’s Statement

Flanked by her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia Gandhi expressed concern about the length of the President’s speech, implying that it had been exhausting for her. "The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing," she was heard saying.


The BJP swiftly reacted to the remark, accusing the Congress of displaying a "feudal mindset" and being unable to accept an Adivasi woman in the country’s highest constitutional position. BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar strongly condemned the statement, saying, "It was a derogatory comment. Leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should not pass such comments, especially on the President. Droupadi Murmu belongs to an Adivasi family and now she is the number one citizen of our country and that is not accepted by the Congress's zamindaari mindset. That's why they are opposing her speech."

President Murmu’s Budget Session Address

On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu delivered her address to Parliament, marking the beginning of the Budget session. She outlined the government's commitment to modernising the agricultural sector, promoting self-reliance, and increasing farmers' income. The address highlighted key policies aimed at strengthening India's agrarian economy and ensuring sustainable growth in the sector.

President Murmu said that the country has only one aim which is to become a Vikshit Bharat (developed India) and the government is working with a "saturation approach" so nobody is left in the journey.

Murmu said, "My government is working with the Saturation Approach, so nobody is left in the journey of Vikshit Bharat... We have only one aim to become Viksit Bharat."

As the Made in India defence product goes global, the President lauded the government for taking steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector.

"The country has taken several historic steps to protect the country's borders and ensure internal security.... The govt has also taken steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector. From Make in India, we have moved to make for the world..." she said.

After the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla link railway project, President Murmu said that now India will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

"The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed and now the country will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. India's metro rail network has now crossed the 1000-kilometre milestone. India has the world's third-largest metro network," the President stated.

The Congress and BJP have long been at odds, and this latest controversy adds to the ongoing political tensions. The Congress has yet to issue an official clarification regarding Sonia Gandhi’s remark. Meanwhile, the BJP continues to criticise the statement, seeing it as an attack on the dignity of the President. The incident underscores the broader political divide between the ruling party and the opposition, particularly on issues of representation and respect for constitutional authorities.