'Poor thing': Sonia Gandhi's choice of words for Prez Droupadi Murmu stirs row, invites BJP's ire

Reacting to Murmu's address to the joint sitting of parliament, Sonia said, "The poor lady. The president was getting very tired by the end... No, she could hardly speak the poor thing." (sic)

Sonia was accompanied by her children, Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra while making the comment.

Slamming the former Congress president's remark, union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda said, "Former Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi’s use of the phrase “poor thing” to refer to the President is deeply disrespectful and underscores the opposition’s continued disregard for the dignity of the highest constitutional office.

"Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. While the President was highlighting the government’s achievements, the opposition—driven by its feudal mindset—chose instead to mock the empowerment of backward classes and women, a transformation brought about under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership."

Countering the BJP, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi posted on X, "Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s empathy for Hon’ble President Draupadi Murmu ji’s health cannot be digested by the men in BJP. Every person in India has respect and empathy for the President.

"Will the BJP answer for the disrespect shown to President Murmu when she was not invited to the inauguration of the Parliament or the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya ? I challenge them to answer this question."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government's first full budget since coming to power for the third term will "create new confidence" and provide "energy for Viksit Bharat".

Modi said this as the budget session of parliament started on Friday.

Addressing the media, the prime minister said, "The people of the country have given me this responsibility for the third term and this is the first full budget of this third term.

"This budget session and more precisely budget 2025 will create a new confidence and will provide new energy so that India remains a developed country (Viksit Bharat) when it celebrates its 100th year of independence."

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget on February 1.