Sonia Gandhi's 'hardly speak' remark on President Murmu's speech sparks controversy

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's comments on President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint session of Parliament on Friday have sparked controversy.

Speaking to reporters, Gandhi remarked, "The President could hardly speak, poor thing. The President was getting very tired by the end... She could hardly speak, poor thing."

#WATCH | Delhi | After the President's address to the Parliament, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi says,"...The President was getting very tired by the end...She could hardly speak, poor thing..." pic.twitter.com/o6cwoeYFdE

— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2025

President Murmu's address marked the beginning of the Budget Session. During her speech, she emphasized the government's focus on all-around development, stating that the country’s primary goal is to become a "Vikshit Bharat" (Developed India). She highlighted the government's "saturation approach" ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward development.

“My government is working with the Saturation Approach, so nobody is left in the journey of Vikshit Bharat... We have only one aim to become Viksit Bharat,” she said.

The President also applauded the government’s strides in the defense sector, noting that India’s defense products are now global. She pointed out, "The country has taken several historic steps to protect the country's borders and ensure internal security.... The government has also taken steps towards self-reliance in the defense sector. From Make in India, we have moved to make for the world..."

On infrastructure, President Murmu lauded the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link project, which now connects Kashmir to Kanyakumari by rail. She further added, "The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed and now the country will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

India's metro rail network has now crossed the 1000-kilometre milestone. India has the world's third-largest metro network."

In her address, President Murmu also emphasized the government's efforts to promote development in the North East, highlighting the first-ever Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav organized to showcase the region's potential.

Additionally, she shared updates on the healthcare sector, revealing that 1.75 lakh "Arogya Mandir" have been established across the country, and that the government has waived custom duties on many cancer medicines in response to the growing number of cancer patients.

On the digital front, she acknowledged the challenges posed by cyber threats, saying, "Digital fraud, cybercrime, and DeepFake are serious challenges to social, financial and national security."

She also pointed to India’s progress in cybersecurity, with the country achieving Tier 1 status in the Global Cyber Security Index. "In the last decade, India gained several milestones in infrastructure," she added.

The President also highlighted the Finance Ministry’s efforts to encourage businesses through the Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs and the establishment of e-commerce export hubs. Additionally, she lauded the success of India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI), emphasizing its transformative impact on the nation’s digital economy.