India, Aug. 10 -- The 'goongi gudiya' remarks made by the state Congress against NCP chief Sunetra Pawar has brought her a barrage of support, even from those in her own party who were silent in earlier conflicts she faced. The remark, posted on the state Congress' social media account, was a jibe at Sunetra for skipping questions on the law-and-order situation in Beed district, of which she is guardian minister. The NCP protested that the remark was misogynistic and an insult to the NCP chief while state Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal sought to justify it. In no time, several NCP leaders started slamming Sapkal and the Congress, and there were protests in several parts of the state. Some NCP leaders, who had kept mum during the tussle between Sunetra and her son Parth versus NCP senior leaders too had to come out to defend her. Many in the ruling Mahayuti believe that the way the NCP reacted to the Congress jibe smacked of the tactics of political strategist Prashant Kishor, who seems to be advising the mother-son duo. The aim was to show that Sunetra Pawar was the NCP's most popular leader, and the party would not tolerate any "insult" to her. Even Mahayuti leaders-CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde-came to Sunanda's defence. Will the controversy and the support from her party colleagues as well as Mahayuti leaders give a much-needed boost to her image and, more importantly, her authority in the party? Many in political circles are wondering whether the show of support was directed less at the Congress and more at her adversaries within the party. Meanwhile, several leaders in the Congress and opposition MVA alliance are unhappy with Sapkal for justifying the 'goongi gudiya' remarks and believe it was a self-goal. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said the remarks were in bad taste and brought it to the attention of the Congress leadership in Delhi. Within half an hour, the state Congress apologised. Sapkal is not happy about this but has chosen not to join issue with his party's ally. Meanwhile, several of Sapkal's party colleagues believe that his penchant for controversies does not work for the party. "He seems to believe that speaking about each and every issue and creating controversies is the way to put the party under the spotlight and position it as the main challenger to the ruling Mahayuti," remarked a senior state Congress leader. He also hoped that the leadership would advise Sapkal to observe some restraint. Sapkal, meanwhile, remains unperturbed. One of his close aides pointed out that he did not mince words while taking on the ruling parties, especially the BJP and CM Fadnavis, whereas several senior leaders avoided strongly criticising them. The party top brass was aware of this, said the aide. The Munde cousins-BJP minister Pankaja Munde and NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde-seem to be unhappy these days. Speaking at two separate events in Beed district last week, both said that they felt like retiring from politics. Pankaja Munde, environment and animal husbandry minister, said she was fed up with the same conflicts for the past 24 years. Although her remarks caused a flutter, not many eyebrows were raised since it is known that she is not happy with her portfolio and would love to play a bigger role in the government. Dhananjay, on his part, said that politics was now all about caste and religion, which made someone like him wonder whether he should continue. The MLA, who had to step down as a minister after the police arrested his close aide Walmik Karad in a brutal murder case, is awaiting his return to the state cabinet. Despite his efforts, the party leadership has done nothing. No wonder he feels frustrated. CM Devendra Fadnavis is displeased with the recent controversies arising from decisions taken by BJP civic office bearers, including mayor Ritu Tawde. First it was the proposal to buy Toyota Innova cars for six civic leaders for Rs.1.5 crore even though the BMC had already purchased Scorpio SUVs for them. Then came the Rs.2.9-crore proposal to upgrade the mayor's official residence at Byculla, which had just been renovated at a cost of Rs.2.4 crore in April. Both proposals were shelved after media and social media criticism. According to party insiders, an irked Fadnavis told the corporators to "stop splurging taxpayers' money and pay attention to work"....