The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas for allegedly making a "derogatory" remark against its chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi.
BJP leaders Satish Upadhyay, Meenakshi Lekhi, Shazia Ilmi, Shaina NC, among others, went to the poll panel's office and filed a complaint against him.
"We moved the Election Commission against Vishwas and sought strict action...," Upadhyay said.
At a recent rally, Kumar Vishwas allegedly said: "Two problems the BJP has with Arvind Kejriwal. One is that he wears a muffler... Has he stolen it from you? One of them says he (Kejriwal) coughs a lot..... What is your problem? Do you have to sleep with him in his bedroom?"
However, Vishwas said his remark was not directed at Bedi, but the BJP claimed he was targeting her. Kumar Vishwas made the remarks at a rally where AAP chief Kejriwal was also present.
Vishwas said whatever remarks he made were targeted at BJP and not Bedi.
"I am surprised that channels are not showing this video. There were cameras of so many channels. There was an Election Commission camera too... when they do not have any issue they are spreading such things," he said.
He challenged Bedi and the BJP to prove that these remarks were targeted at Bedi.
Bedi in a series of tweets expressed her anguish over the remarks.
"Absolutely derogatory, sexist remarks, illegal photoshopped images communicating wrong messaging. It is this unethical, toxic, perverse and uncivil practices that we need to eliminate from our system."
In another tweet, she asked: "What kind of security and dignity can women expect from AAP's leadership that itself has blatant sexist and perverse mindsets?"
She said a police complaint has been lodged over the remark.
Ilmi, former AAP leader, who recently joined BJP, said that other than the derogatory remark, the BJP has also raised other issues with the commission. "AAP has been flouting Election Commission's norms, and we filed a complaint on other issues also. We sought strict action," she said.
BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also called AAP "anti-women".
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
