Her comments came in a response to a question about AAP councillors' claims that the mayor, MC officials, and UT administration were blocking projects in their wards.
Digital Desk: Kirron Kher,
a Member of Parliament (MP) from Chandigarh, sparked outrage on Wednesday when
she referred to the AAP councillors as "dungers" (animals) and
compared their behaviour to "junglipana" (wildness).
Kher was
speaking during a press conference at the Chandigarh BJP headquarters in Sector
33 to mark the conclusion of the Narendra Modi-led central government's
eight-year term.
Her comments came in a response to a question about AAP councillors' claims that the mayor, MC
officials, and UT administration were blocking projects in their wards.
"It is
their agenda not to listen to anyone or accept anyone's decisions," Kher
remarked in reaction to the charges. They caused chaos in the first house
meeting following the MC elections. They should be aware of the House's
importance and show some respect. Tables and glassware were being shattered.
I've never seen a junglipana like this before. Aisa lag
raha tha jaise waha dunger ghum rahe the."
"It was
my first public meeting (after overcoming cancer), and their female councillors
jostled so hard that it appeared they were going to hit us," Kher said.
"Whenever the BJP or the Congress were
in opposition, councillors might have made disparaging statements against each
other, but I never saw such 'dungerpana," Kher
remarked at a press conference after more than two years. Congress has never
done something like this. When I witnessed their (AAP) behaviour there, I was
stunned."
"I've
even supported Congress councillors out of my MPLAD fund when they asked for
some work in their wards," she continued. Ab inse kya baat
kare, kya help kare (talking to AAP councillors is pointless)."
In response
to Kher's remarks, Prem Garg, the president of the AAP in Chandigarh, said he
could only sympathise with the esteemed MP for uttering such words, especially
in regard to female councillors.
"I can
only sympathise with Kher since she may have been under a lot of emotional
stress as a result of the criticism she received for her long absence from the
city, and it may have damaged her excellent judgement as well." He said,
"I can only pray to God to give her a better sense of humour rather than
using such foul and dirty language towards respectable councillors."
He further added, "I doubt any Chandigarh political leader has ever used such words towards the city's legitimately elected public representatives." As a woman and a municipal representative, the MP has a responsibility to support the dignity of women councillors. Using such terminology for public officials is an insult not just to the councillors, but also to the general public of the city."
