BJP Uses Women When Nothing Else Works, Says Renuka Chowdhury Amid Row Over Rahul Gandhi

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using women for political purposes, dismissing the allegations against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over an alleged confrontation with a woman journalist during the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court.

The BJP had accused Gandhi of “manhandling” the journalist during the opposition bloc’s march on Monday. Responding to the controversy, Chowdhury questioned the allegations and accused the BJP of relying on what she described as its familiar political tactics.

“Whoever the BJP’s scriptwriters are, they should look for another job. Everyone is familiar with the BJP’s worn-out tactics,” she told IANS, questioning the identity and circumstances surrounding the journalist involved in the incident.

“Misuse women, and when nothing else works, put a woman forward,” she alleged, asserting that Gandhi had consistently raised issues concerning women’s rights.

Defending the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court, Chowdhury said the opposition had attempted to raise its concerns through Parliament, correspondence and the media before approaching the judiciary.

“We went to court as people still have a lot of faith in the judiciary. We tried to raise questions on every democratic platform, and when we didn’t receive an answer, we went to the court,” she said.

She added that the judiciary now had a responsibility to address public concerns and restore people’s confidence in the Election Commission.

‘Rahul Gandhi fighting for people, not PM’s post’

Asked whether she saw Gandhi becoming Prime Minister in the future, Chowdhury replied, “Why not?”

However, she maintained that the decision would ultimately rest with the people, while party workers and elected representatives would also have a role in the process. She said she personally wanted Gandhi to become Prime Minister but argued that his current political efforts were driven by public concerns rather than personal ambition.

Chowdhury also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying he should take responsibility if doubts had arisen over his position.

“If people have doubts, then he should stand up and say that ‘I am innocent, but if proven guilty I will resign’,” she said.

She questioned the level of security deployed in New Delhi in connection with the controversy and alleged that the government was compelled to protect Kumar. Her remarks about possible blackmailing and undisclosed secrets were allegations made by the Congress leader, for which she offered no evidence in the interview.

“For us, ‘Desh’ (the country) is more important than Gyanesh Kumar,” she said, vowing to continue the political fight.

Criticises religious discrimination posters

On posters in West Bengal urging people to buy biryani only from Hindu shopkeepers, Chowdhury criticised what she described as a narrow and divisive mindset.

She questioned whether people considered the religion of those who grew their food or donated blood before accepting medical treatment, arguing that religious identity should not determine how citizens treat one another.

“The Constitution has given every individual, irrespective of his or her religion, the right to stand under the tricolour,” she said.

Responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s criticism of the INDIA bloc’s march, Chowdhury advised him to focus on his state rather than comment on the opposition’s actions.

She said the reasons behind the march were known to both the public and the Chief Minister.