In an unconventional political gesture, a senior functionary of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh has brought an end to a 21-month-long personal protest after claiming that her objective had been fulfilled.
Bogireddy Adilakshmi, a state secretary of the BJP, on Wednesday announced that she has resumed wearing chappal (footwear), concluding a vow she had undertaken in protest against the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Speaking to the media, Adilakshmi said she had decided to walk barefoot after being “deeply disturbed” by what she described as governance issues in West Bengal during a past visit. She linked her decision to a broader sense of political dissent, which intensified around the time of the widely discussed incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
“On that day, I resolved not to wear footwear until Mamata stepped down from power,” Adilakshmi stated, explaining the motivation behind her prolonged symbolic protest.
Referring to recent political developments, she claimed that the electoral defeat of Banerjee in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency marked the fulfilment of her vow. “Now that she has been defeated, I have started wearing footwear again,” she said.
Adilakshmi noted that she remained steadfast in her decision despite health concerns and repeated questions from the public. “People often asked if I had forgotten my slippers. Doctors warned that walking barefoot for long periods could affect my health, but I continued,” she added.
Over the course of the past 21 months, she travelled extensively across several states, including New Delhi and Tamil Nadu, without wearing footwear.
Her statement has since sparked mixed reactions in political circles and on social media. While supporters have described the act as a demonstration of personal conviction and political commitment, critics have questioned the relevance and effectiveness of such symbolic gestures in contemporary democratic discourse.
Also read: 'BJP will rule Bengal for 100 years': Suvendu in Nandigram
Follow us
