Haryanvi singer and dancer Sapna Choudhary termed the reports of her joining Congress party as baseless. She added that the pictures circulated online are old. “I have not joined the Congress party. The photograph with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is old,” she said in a press conference. News agency ANI had reported that Sapna had joined Congress under the presence of Raj Babbar. Raj Babbar had also tweeted welcoming her into the party. Pictures of Sapna Choudhary’s membership form too are doing the rounds on social media.
Due to high crime rates, Haryana residents are currently not favouring BJP. The arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim also has not gone down well with people of Haryana. He continues to have a huge vote bank in Haryana despite his conviction. Already his followers had come forward in large numbers to protest against his conviction. Haryana has witnessed several incidents of rape and molestation with even a BJP member’s son accused of stalking. Sapna Chaudhary is a well-established name in north India and she has a major fan following. Rumours of her joining Congress led many to think it as a challenge for the BJP in the state.
BJP MLA from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh Surendra Singh stooped to a new low by comparing former Bigg Boss contestant and Haryanvi singer and dancer with the UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi.
Equating Sonia Gandhi to Sapna Choudhary, he said, ‘Both have dancing background’. Singh’s sexist slur has got him enough criticism from the netizens.
In a video that went viral on social media, Singh also said that he wanted to congratulate Congress President Rahul Gandhi for embracing Sapna despite her profession as a dancer the same way former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had embraced Sonia Gandhi despite she belonging to ‘the same profession’ before marriage.
Social activist Anjali Damania asserted, “Politics and political discourse are falling to an extremely low level. Not even a dash of respect is shown while addressing political opponents.”
“BJP MLA Surendra Singh’s statement on Sapna Choudhary is a reflection of the mindset of most of the BJP leaders. If BJP would respect women, there would have been an immediate clarification from the party distancing itself from such trash statements. None of the women in BJP have condemned the statement. “Sapna ko Apna Bana Liya?” How dare this BJP MLA use such derogatory statements about women,” she added.
As per media reports, Sapna was in contact with the Congress for a long time. It was being speculated that Congress might field Sapna against BJP leader Hema Malini from Mathura that has a dominant presence of Jat community. However, Mahesh Pathak was named from the seat.
The All India Mahila Congress president and MP from Silchar, Sushmita Dev said, “There are several reports about Sapna Choudhary joining Congress. Our party will stand to drive benefit out of it as she is a popular face. The party will soon decide about whether to issue tickets to her. The manner in which BJP MLA Surendra Singh has been making comments just goes to show the sick mentality of BJP. BJP leaders have been known for making such comments against women.”
Sapna also had met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. While interacting with media, Sapna had earlier mentioned that she would campaign for Congress party. She has a massive fan following in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Sapna has held stage shows in several states across north India.
BJP National President Vijaya Rahatkar said, “Sapna Choudhary’s name was proposed by Congress for gaining publicity. Mathura is BJP’s safe seat as already Hema Malini has done several works. Every time, Congress tries to induct several celebrities.”
Sapna Choudhary was born in Rohtak district of Haryana on September 25, 1990. She had to undergo several hardships in the initial stage of her life. Her father used to work in a private firm and he was facing financial problems. She lost her father at a young age. Sapna started her career by conducting the orchestra. She took up dance as a career for earning her livelihood. She has organised several stage shows till date. Sapna has also worked in Hindi films. She worked in Abhay Deol starrer Nanu Ki Jaanu. She rose to fame with her ‘aakhya ka yo kaajal’ song and also participated in Bigg Boss 11 in 2017. Sapna shares her opinion about politics on social media. In February 2017, two cases were registered against her for hurting the sentiments of the Dalit community during one of her stage performances in a Gurugram village.
In September 2016, she attempted suicide by consuming poisonous substances at her residence in Chhawla in Nazafgarh Delhi alleging harassment by Dalit activists over a controversial folk song.
Congress leader and AIMC General Secretary Nagma stated, “What message is BJP trying to convey by making such comments against Sapna? Sapna may or may not join a party but what right does someone have to make such comments against her? We have to change the mindset through which we view women. When we point fingers against someone, four fingers are pointed towards us.”
