Ramesh Bidhuri expresses regret as row erupts over his 'roads like Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks' remarks
New Delhi, Jan 5: BJP candidate from Kalkaji Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday drew flak for his remarks that he would make roads which are like Congress leader "Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks" in his constituency, with the Congress demanding an apology from him for "insulting women" and some leaders in his party also expressing their disapproval.
Bidhuri, who has courted controversies in the past too over his statements, initially remained defiant, pointing to similar remarks by RJD leader Lalu Prasad on actor and BJP MP Hema Malini.
However, he later posted a message on X expressing regret if his comments had hurt anyone and stated that his remarks had been misconstrued by some for political gains.
"Lalu said in Bihar that he would make roads like Hema Malini's cheeks, but he lied, he could not do it.
"I assure you that just as we made the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will make all the roads in Kalkaji like Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks," Bidhuri is heard saying in the purported video, which went viral on social media.
The Congress condemned the remarks, alleging it reflected the "anti-women" mentality of the BJP.
"Ramesh Bidhuri's statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only extremely shameful but shows their ugly anti-women thinking. But what else can be expected from a man who used foul language against his fellow MP in the House and did not receive any punishment?
"Not only Bidhuri, but the BJP's top leadership should apologise with folded hands," Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, adding it was not only an insult to Priyanka Gandhi but to all women.
Asked about the Congress' demand for an apology, Bidhuri sought to defend himself by saying, "If this is a mistake, then the one who committed it first should apologise. Isn't Hema Malini a woman?"
Accusing the Congress of hypocrisy, he said, "Hema Malini was from a simple family, is she not a woman? The one who is from a known family is a woman, how is it possible?
"Hema Malini is from the South, does that mean that she is not a woman. Everybody should get respect. ... they should have made him (Lalu Prasad) apologise, they did not ask for it because she was from a simple family. It is their hypocrisy," Bidhuri told reporters.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva stressed that such statements should be avoided and said all should follow proper conduct regarding language and respect for women, while reminding the Congress of the objectionable statements by its leaders and allies in the past.
"I have not heard the entire statement of Ramesh Bidhuri but I think that all the women, who are in politics, face a lot of difficulties.
"So, we should not make such statements and should exercise restraint in our language. I would also tell the Congress that when such remarks are made against our MP Hema Malini, you don't stop it. Having said that, respect for women and maintaining control over our language is our duty and such statements are not welcomed by us," he said.
BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said, "A politician should say anything after giving a thought to it."
As the row escalated, Bidhuri, a former two-time MP from South Delhi and three-term MLA from Tughalqabad, in a post on X claimed that his remarks were being misinterpreted by some for political gain.
"It was not my intention to insult anyone. Still, if any person has been hurt then I express regret," Bidhuri said.
Delhi chief minister and AAP candidate from Kalkaji Atishi slammed the BJP, accusing it of fielding an "anti-women" candidate from the constituency.
"I believe that not only the people of Kalkaji but also the citizens of Delhi, especially the women, will give a fitting response to the BJP for these comments and this mindset in the upcoming elections," she said.
Such remarks not only degrade public discourse but also reflect a larger issue of "misogyny" within the BJP, she charged.
Congress candidate from Kalkaji and Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba lashed out at Bidhuri, accusing him of "insulting" women once again in his "usual indecent language".
"Will the public in Kalkaji have such (a person) who cares neither for the dignity of the House (Parliament) nor respects the women," she said in a post on X.
The Mahila Congress workers led by Lamba also torched an effigy of Bidhuri.
The statement was made by Bidhuri during campaigning in Kalkaji constituency on Saturday, one of his aides said.
The elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly are due next month.
Bidhuri is not new to controversies surrounding his public statements. Last year, he invited widespread condemnation over his outburst against then BSP MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha.
The BJP leader had expressed regret for his objectionable remarks in a meeting of the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee, after a complaint was filed against him.
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Air India resorts to cost-cutting ways amid 'tough times'; layoffs not anticipated
New Delhi/Mumbai (PTI): Hit hard by Pakistan airspace closure and Iran war, Air India has resorted to cost-cutting measures, including holding back annual increments for staff and asking them to cut discretionary spending as well as non-critical expenditures, warning of "tough times".
On Friday, Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO & MD) Campbell Wilson told the staff it is going to be a "very, very difficult year" if things don't improve on the Middle East front.
A day after the loss-making airline's board discussed various cost-saving steps, Wilson, along with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sanjay Sharma and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Ravindra Kumar GP, addressed the employees during a townhall on Friday where the emphasis on the need to keep a close watch on costs.
With higher jet fuel prices due to the West Asia conflict and airspace curbs, the loss-making airline's expenses have spiralled in recent times and against this backdrop, Sharma also told staffers that FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Calling for a relentless focus on costs in these tough times, Wilson urged employees to suspend discretionary spending, renegotiate rates where feasible, and defer non-critical expenditures.
"There must be a laser-sharp focus on eliminating wastage and leakages," he said.
Stressing the need to tighten the belt for a while, Wilson sounded optimistic that travel demand would rebound and the industry would continue on its upward path.
CHRO Ravindra Kumar told staff that the airline will proceed with variable pay for the last financial year and continue with planned promotions while noting that annual increments will be deferred by at least one quarter.
"We don't anticipate layoffs," he said.
At the airline's board meeting on Thursday, various cost-saving steps, including likely furloughs, were discussed. The Tata Group-owned airline has around 24,000 employees.
Generally, furlough refers to sending staff on unpaid leaves by companies during a tough financial situation.
During the townhall, CFO Sanjay Sharma said while strong revenue growth and fleet expansion drove financial momentum through FY25, FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Air India has seen around 40 per cent CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) in revenue between 2022 and 2025, he added.
The airline was acquired by the Tata Group from the government in January 2022.
The Air India CEO mentioned the external challenges being facing the aviation industry as a whole, including the continued closure of Pakistan airspace that is expected to persist for the foreseeable future and geopolitical conflicts leading to disruptions and airspace closures across West Asia.
Wilson, who is set to step down later this year, also flagged a sharp depreciation of the rupee and a 2.5-3 times increase in jet fuel prices, and added that these factors have adversely affected travel sentiment and consumer confidence, as per the sources.
If the Strait of Hormuz opens, oil prices fall and consumer as well as business confidence come back, there is a decent chance of a solid recovery, Wilson said, adding that unless those circumstances happen, it was going to be "a very, very difficult year".
"I feel somewhat responsible that we ended up with probably the biggest surprise of the year in the external environment which was a full-scale war in our neighbouring region in the Gulf. That has had a huge impact on airspace," he said.
For Air India, Wilson said the situation is compounded by the fact that the airline cannot fly over the neighbouring country and has to take a much longer routing for any west-bound destination.
"Every airline is reporting that they are under some sort of financial pressure as a result of higher fuel prices and economic uncertainty. So, it is unfortunately not a great environment to be running an airline," the Air India CEO said.
The Air India Group -- Air India and Air India Express -- is projected to have incurred more than Rs 22,000 crore loss in the financial year ended March 2026.
At the townhall, Wilson also highlighted various initiatives, including completion of the retrofit of its legacy narrow-body aircraft and rapid network optimisation to redeploy capacity more efficiently.
