Pune: Former MP Sanjay Kakade Demands Congress Apology, Action Against Sapkal Over ‘Gungi Gudiya’ Remark For Sunetra Pawar

Pune, 5th August 2026: Former MP Sanjay Kakade on Wednesday gave the Congress a 24-hour ultimatum to apologise for referring to deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar as “Gungi Gudiya” on the party’s official social media platform, warning of statewide protests if no action is taken.

Addressing a press conference, Kakade criticised Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal for allegedly defending the remark instead of condemning it. He demanded that the Congress immediately apologise to Sunetra Pawar and take disciplinary action against Sapkal.

Kakade said he has written to senior NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging them to intervene in the matter. He called on Rahul Gandhi to either seek Sapkal’s resignation as the state Congress chief or direct him to issue a public apology.

Describing the remark as derogatory and insulting to women, Kakade said such language was unbecoming of Maharashtra’s political and social culture. “Political opponents are free to question a leader’s work, decisions and policies, but using derogatory language against a woman leader is unacceptable,” he said, adding that Sapkal’s alleged defence of the remark had exposed the Congress’s stand on women’s dignity.

Kakade also said that Sunetra Pawar was shouldering significant responsibilities following the demise of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, and targeting her through personal remarks was insensitive.

He appealed to Sharad Pawar to clarify his stand on the issue, stating that if a Congress leader could make such remarks against a member of his family, he should reconsider his party’s association with the Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.

Kakade warned that if the Congress neither withdrew the remark nor acted against Sapkal within 24 hours, his supporters would stage protests outside Congress programmes across the state and intensify their agitation.