International Women’s Day: If the country’s Budget is presented by Sitharaman, Delhi’s Budget will be read by Rekha Gupta, says CM
Recounting her political journey, CM Rekha Gupta said, “Back when I joined the ABVP, my family did not understand what politics was."
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Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. (Express Photo/Praveen Khanna)A red carpet and beats of dhol-nagadas welcomed members of Delhi BJP’s Mahila Morcha as they arrived at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The event, which was attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, saw an impressive turnout, with all arrangements being handled entirely by women-led teams. Male BJP office-bearers assisted with decorations, which included lining up party flyers and placing life-size cutouts of women MPs and MLAs along nearby roads.
Images of BJP women leaders, freedom fighters and renowned Indian sportswomen, adorned the insides of the stadium.
Recounting her political journey, Gupta said, “Back when I joined the ABVP, my family did not understand what politics was. When I was about to contest student body elections, my mother said ‘women do not fight elections’. That was when my father came out in my support.”
Crediting the BJP for giving her “samman, adhikaar, and manch (respect, rights and platform)”, she added, “When I got married, I got busy with my household. But the Yuva Sangathan (BYJM) came looking for me. They pulled me out of my household to join politics again… After handling family duties, I would rush to attend party events. While family members had their own complaints, if I failed to bring enough people to BJP events, party leaders would also be disappointed. But it’s only BJP that provides such leadership opportunities to women.”
Taking on AAP and Congress, Gupta said, “Some people and governments only talked about women’s rights and respect but never did anything for them. I remember when Indira Gandhi ji was the Prime Minister but there was no other woman in her Cabinet. These (AAP) people insulted their own female Parliamentarian by calling her to their home…”
Last year, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal had alleged that while she visited then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Civil Lines residence, his aide Bibhav Kumar had abused and assaulted her.
“This is the only organisation (BJP) which did what it said. Today, if the country’s Budget is presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, Delhi’s Budget will be presented by Rekha Gupta,” the CM added.
Speaking at the event, BJP national president J P Nadda highlighted the party’s representation of women in the Parliament.
“From village councils to the President’s office, women are leading in various capacities, which is a matter of pride. In India’s 75-year history, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is the only woman to have presented the Budget eight times,” he said.
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