'Could hardly speak, poor thing': Sonia Gandhi on President Murmu's address ahead of Budget session

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Friday reacted to President Droupadi Murmu's address ahead of the Budget session, saying that the President appeared to become "tired" towards the end of her speech and "could hardly speak."
"The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing," Sonia, who attended the joint sitting of both the Houses said while speaking to the reporters.


Sonia Gandhi's remarks ignited controversy, with Bharatiya Janata Party leaders condemning her comments and demanding an apology from the former Congress President.
BJP president Nadda demanded an "unconditional apology" from Sonia Gandhi, whilst parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju suggested the opposition's inability to accept a tribal President.
"The deliberate usage of such words shows the elitist, anti-poor and anti-tribal nature of the Congress Party. I demand that the Congress Party unconditionally apologise to the Honourable President and the tribal communities of India," Nadda said in a post on X.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri also lashed out at Sonia calling her comments "shocking beyond belief" and accused the Congress of arrogance.
"Referring to her in such a condescending and derogatory way is appalling. One is beginning to wonder if Congress is a political party in a functioning democracy, or is it a set of entitled and arrogant people with scant respect for institutions of our Republic, including the Head of State. Have they no shame?," he questioned.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also criticised Sonia Gandhi’s remarks, arguing they reflect her "feudal mindset" and disregard for constitutional values. "Sonia Gandhi referring to the President as a ‘poor thing’ demeans the high office and reflects her feudal mindset. This is not the first time the Congress has ridiculed the first tribal woman to hold the highest constitutional office in the country. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, who frequently flaunts a copy of the Constitution, has not even considered making a courtesy visit to the President. The Congress has no regard for Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Constitution, constitutional values, or those from socially marginalized backgrounds—namely, Dalits, OBCs, and Tribals. The rot starts at the top."


Congress general secretary KC Venugopal followed Sonia's suit alleged that the president was "made to deliver a political speech."
"The President was made to deliver a political speech. Nothing is new. Everything is only complete lie and jumla," he said.
Earlier in the day, Following the President's speech Congress MP Manish Tewari called the address a "a ritualistic reiteration of a laundry list of the Government’s alleged achievements." He added that the President should be "spared this annual embarrassment."
"The President’s address unfortunately is nothing more than a ritualistic reiteration of a laundry list of the Government’s alleged achievements. The @rashtrapatibhvn should be spared this annual embarrassment. Otherwise the Hon’ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn should be allowed to speak her or his own mind," the Congress MP said.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised President Murmu’s address, describing it as a “resonant outline” of India’s journey towards becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'. PM Modi highlighted that Murmu's speech provided a clear vision for an India where youth have access to the best opportunities. He noted that her address also laid out inspiring roadmaps for achieving national goals through unity and determination.
"Today's address by Rashtrapati Ji to both Houses of Parliament was a resonant outline of our nation's path toward building a Viksit Bharat. She highlighted initiatives across sectors and underscored the importance of all-around as well as futuristic development. Her address encapsulated the vision for an India where youth have the best opportunities to flourish. The address also included inspiring roadmaps for achieving the goals we have set with a spirit of unity and determination," PM Modi wrote in a post on X.


During her address President Murmu, said that India was on track to becoming the world’s third-largest economy. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, saying, "My government's mantra is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'."
She arrived at Parliament in a traditional horse-drawn buggy before beginning her speech with a tribute to India’s Constitution makers. "Two months ago, we celebrated 75 years of adopting our Constitution, and a few days ago, we completed our journey of 75 years. On behalf of all Indians, I bow down to Babasaheb Ambedkar and all others in the Constitution Committee," Murmu said.
The President also paid homage to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away last year, acknowledging his decade-long tenure as the nation’s leader and his longstanding parliamentary career.
She addressed the recent stampede at the Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, where 30 people lost their lives, offering condolences to the victims' families. "Mahakumbh is a festival of India's cultural identity and social enlightenment. Crores of devotees have already taken the holy dip. I express grief over the incident that occurred on Mouni Amavasya and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," she said.
Murmu outlined several government initiatives, including housing and healthcare schemes. She announced the construction of three crore additional houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to provide health insurance for six crore senior citizens above the age of 70. "Every year, they will receive a health cover of five lakh rupees," she said.
The President also talked about the government’s push for women-led development, citing key schemes such as the National Rural Livelihood Mission, which has empowered over 10 crore women through self-help groups. She highlighted the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, ensuring women’s reservation in legislatures, and the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, aimed at creating financially independent women. "Today, over 1.15 crore Lakhpati Didis are leading dignified lives, with about 50 lakh joining this category in just the past six months," Murmu said.