Hema Malini today filed her nomination papers in Mathura, a seat she currently holds
New Delhi:
Reacting to the row over Congress leader Randeep Surjewala’s comments on Mathura MP Hema Malini, the actor-politician said opposition leaders should learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi how to respect women.
Speaking to reporters before filing her nomination for the Lok Sabha elections in the temple town, she said the Opposition is targeting only ‘popular people’. “They only target popular people because it won’t do them any good if they target the unpopular people. They should learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi how to respect women.”
The BJP has launched a scathing attack on the Congress over Mr Surjewala’s comments.
BJP leader Amit Malviya yesterday shared a video of Mr Surjewala addressing a public meeting. While saying that people elect leaders to raise their issues, he makes a comment about Ms. Malini. In his post on “This is Rahul Gandhi’s Congress. It is misogynistic and abhors women,” the BJP leader said.
Under fire, Mr Surjewala said the IT cell of the BJP has developed the habit of distorting facts and spreading lies. He shared another video from the same event, in which he says, “We respect Hema Malini ji because she is married to Dharmendra ji, she is our bahu.”
Accusing the BJP of distorting facts and spreading lies, he said the ruling party’s aim is to divert attention from the Narendra government’s “anti-youth, anti-farmer, anti-poor” policies Modi and her conspiracy to finalize the Constitution.”
“These pawns of the BJP never asked the Prime Minister why he said ’50 crore ki girlfriend’, called a woman MP ‘Surpanakha’, made fun of a woman Prime Minister, used the phrase ‘the widow of Congress’ and the Congress leadership described as a ‘jersey’. cow,” he said.
Mr Surjewala said he only meant that every elected representative should be accountable to the people, whether it is him or (Haryana Chief Minister) Nayab Singh Saini and (BJP leader) Manohar Lal Khattar.
“It was not my intention to insult Hema Malini ji or hurt anyone. That is why I have clearly said that we respect Hema Malini ji and she is our bahu. The BJP is anti-women, so it sees everything through a misogynistic lens and in a convenient way. spreads lies,” he said in the post.
Among the leaders who have targeted the Congress over Mr Surjewala’s comments is Yogi Adityanath. Mr. Adityanath said Mathura is a land of art and Ms. Malini is an artist who has showcased Indian culture at a global level. Without mentioning Mr. Surjewala’s name, he said, “If Congress doesn’t like this, I doubt even God can save them.”
Ms Malini said she is very happy that she has been renominated from Mathura seat. “I am very happy that I am getting the opportunity to serve the people of Mathura for the third time. I will complete the work that could not be done in my two terms. This time, huge development projects will be launched for the people of Mathura .UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is offering all possible help to Mathura,” she told news agency ANI.