The statement elicited sharp reactions from both the AAP and Congress.

Hitting out at Bidhuri, Atishi said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party is anti-women, and this is well-known. But it is deeply concerning that the responsibility for Delhi’s security lies in the hands of this same party. Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks reveal the mindset of the party. If BJP leaders, former parliamentarians, and Assembly election candidates hold such views about women, how can the BJP ensure the safety of women in Delhi? 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 party for these comments and this mindset in the upcoming elections.”

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, while seeking an apology from Bidhuri, targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “BJP is extremely anti-women. Ramesh Bidhuri’s statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only shameful but also shows his disgusting mentality towards women. 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? This is the real face of the BJP. Will the women leaders of BJP, Women Development Minister, JP Nadda ji or Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself say anything about this poor language and thinking? In fact, the father of this anti-women language and thinking is Modi himself — who uses words like mangalsutra (nuptial chain) and mujra (dance of courtesans). So what else will his people say? An apology must be made for this poor thinking,” she said.

As the video of Bidhuri’s remarks was widely shared across several platforms on Sunday, Bidhuri first sought an apology for the remark made on Hema Malini.

“Hema Malini is also a woman… Those who made the mistake first should apologize first. She was from a simple family. How is it that she is not a woman, but the one from a known family is a woman… BJP doesn’t make false promises. There are 140 crore common people… it is not a big thing when comments are made against them. Hema Malini is from the South… does that mean that she is not a woman? Everybody should get respect. Lalu ji was in the Congress government cabinet, they should have made him apologize. They did not ask for it because she (Malini) was from a simple family. This is their hypocrisy,” he told reporters.

The former South Delhi MP, however, apologized later on X (formerly Twitter). Tagging BJP national president JP Nadda, Delhi BJP in-charge Bijyant Panda, and Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, he posted, “Some people are making statements on social media for political gain with a wrong perception based on a statement given by me in some context. My intention was not to insult anyone. But still, if anyone has been hurt then I express my regret.”