MEERUT: Triggering yet another row, Union culture minister Mahesh Sharma has referred to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi as “Pappu ki Pappi”, drawing sharp reactionUnion culture minister Mahesh Sharmafrom her party which said the remark was an insult to the country’s women.The BJP MP’s remark has come two days after he asked at a rally: “ If the God who created us cannot fulfil your wishes, how can a Member of Parliament? The biggest fool is God.”On Saturday, while addressing another political meeting in Bulandshahr’s Sikandrabad, Sharma referred to Congress president Rahul Gandhi as “Pappu” and his sister Priyanka as “Pappu ki Pappi”.“Pappu kehta hai main prime minister banunga. Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Pappu… aur ab ‘Pappu ki Pappi’ bhi aa gayi hai. (Pappu says he wants to become prime minister. Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Pappu... and now ‘Pappu’s Pappi’ has also arrived),” he told a crowd. The video of Sharma’s purported speech has now been shared widely, putting the local BJP in fix.Meanwhile, Congress has reacted bluntly to the remark.Senior Congress leader and nine-time MLA from Pratapgarh’s Rampur Khas, Pramod Tiwari, said: “Such an insulting statement against Priyankaji is an attack on the entire women fraternity. It seems BJP in its desperation has already seen the ‘writing on the wall’ in the coming polls.”Meanwhile, reacting to the controversy, Sharma said: “My culture doesn’t allow me to launch personal attacks on anyone. But I don’t deny the claim as well. There are situations and political atmosphere. Then, media also twists facts.”In the rally, Sharma also attacked West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.“Even if Mamata comes here and starts doing Kathak who will listen to her? If Deve Gowda comes in UP and start playing flute who will listen to him?” he asked to a cheering crowd.Attacking SP-BSP alliance, Sharma had said, “Even if they win 72 seats, from where will they get the rest 200. Now they say they will take Pappu along. Pappu says he will also become prime minister and now Pappu’s Pappi has also joined him. Priyanka Gandhi, what new has she brought with her? First it was Nehru, then Rajiv Gandhi, then Sanjay Gandhi then Sonia Gandhi, then Rahul Gandhi then Priyanka Gandhi. Now if there is another Gandhi he will also come."

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