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New Delhi: A fresh political row erupted in Maharashtra on Tuesday after the Congress referred to Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as a “goongi gudiya” (mute doll), triggering outrage from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its allies.

The remark prompted NCP workers to stage a protest outside the Maharashtra Congress office in Mumbai, with party leaders demanding an unconditional apology from the Congress.

The controversy began after the Maharashtra Congress, in a post on X, questioned Sunetra Pawar’s public silence, asking: “Sunetra Pawar, how many more days will she remain a ‘goongi gudiya’?”

Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after the death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in January 2026.

NCP Workers Hit the Streets, Demand Apology

The Congress’ remark drew immediate backlash from the NCP, with workers gathering outside the Maharashtra Congress headquarters in Mumbai to protest what they called an insult to their leader.

Party leaders demanded that the Congress withdraw the statement and issue a public apology, accusing it of lowering the level of political discourse.

Fadnavis: Opposition Has ‘Stooped to a New Low’

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, accusing it of making provocative statements merely to remain in the news.

“The Opposition has stooped to a very low level of politics. Since they are not receiving public support, they are making such statements only to stay in the headlines. They seem to believe that even if they are criticised, at least people are talking about them. This is the first time Maharashtra is witnessing such low-level politics,” Fadnavis said.

Eknath Shinde: Remark Insults Every Woman in Maharashtra

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also condemned the Congress, saying the comment was not just an attack on Sunetra Pawar but an insult to women across the state.

“Their mindset has become polluted, which is why they have insulted a sister. Sunetra Pawar is Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister,” Shinde said.

Drawing parallels with previous election campaigns, he alleged that the Congress had similarly used derogatory language against women during the 2024 polls.

“This is not merely an insult to Sunetra Tai Pawar; it is an insult to every mother and sister in Maharashtra. The Congress must immediately apologise for such a condemnable statement,” he added.

Rohit Pawar Recalls Indira Gandhi Comparison

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar offered a more nuanced view, saying the phrase “goongi gudiya” has historical and political context.

“The term can be interpreted in two ways. On one hand, it is objectionable. On the other, it reminds us that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was once mocked with the same phrase by her political opponents,” he said.

Rohit Pawar noted that despite facing such criticism early in her political career, Indira Gandhi went on to become one of India’s most influential leaders.

“After Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi remains one of the country’s tallest political leaders. History has shown that political labels do not determine a person’s future,” he added.

The controversy has added fresh fuel to the ongoing political rivalry between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition in Maharashtra. With both sides trading sharp accusations, the “goongi gudiya” remark has quickly snowballed into a major political flashpoint, with the Congress facing mounting pressure from its rivals to apologise.

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