Minister for Women and Child Development and Kannada and Culture Umashree, on Wednesday, hit back at former MP Tejaswini Ramesh for her remarks that women in the Congress party can progress provided they “co-operate with men.”
Briefing reporters in Vidhana Soudha, she said Tejaswini by indulging in such loose talk had insulted all women who have served the Congress party.
“There are women in every field and so also in politics. She should not make insensitive remarks and deter women from entering politics,” she said.
There are only two women MLAs in the Congress party. Besides Umashree, another MLA is Shakuntala Shetty.
Hardwork
Umashree said she became minister because of her hard work. “I have been in public life for the last 23 years. I grew up in the field from the grassroots level. I have been elected by the people. I have earned the position,” she added.
She said Tejaswini too had enjoyed power when she was in the Congress and should not have insulted womanhood.
“The Congress has always respected women. Indira Gandhi had earned highest respect in the party while Pratibha Patil became the president. Rani Satish, Motamma, Bimba Raikar are among those who have been associated with the party. Tejaswini, by making such low remarks, has sent a wrong message to women.”
Tejaswini’s outburst has also attracted sharp reaction from other ministers.
Co-operation Minister Mahadeva Prasad said that Tejaswini being a woman should not have made such statements. Before making such remarks, she should introspect. She should not wag her tongue, he said.
Public Works Minister Mahadevappa wondered why the former MP never spoke the way she has done while she was in the Congress.
It does not augur well for a woman to speak in the manner in which she has done. Law Minister T B Jayachandra said that the Congress knows how to respect women and it need not learn that from anyone.
