Himachal polls : Congress asks BJP to clear stand on women

Shimla : With the election fever at its peak in Himachal Pradesh , the opposition Congress on Thursday questioned the ruling BJP if it subscribes to Narendera Modi’s views on women .

“The BJP in Himachal must clarify if it subscribes to Modi’s stand of putting a price on the dignity of women ,” said Vidya Stokes , the CLP leader .

The latest war of words between the two parties has been sparked off after Modi’s “Rs 50 crore girlfriend” comment while canvassing in the state this week referring to HRD minister Shashi Tharoor’s wife Sunanda Pushkar .

“The BJP owes an explanation and an apology to the women of the nation , particularly Himachal since the comment was made while campaigning in the state ,” Stokes demanded .

“It only betrayed Modi’s medieval mindset about women , and the party’s women leaders like Sushma Swaraj and Smiriti Irani currently campaigning in the state are silent on this issue ,” Stokes said .

“Instead of apologising insult has been added to injury as the BJP’s national spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has defended Modi ,” the Congress leader said .