New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS): Former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti's 'beautiful women' remark evoked sharp reaction from both the BJP and the Congress on Tuesday.

Senior BJP leader Vijendra Gupta, who is also leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly, said it was a "highly objectionable remark" from the Aam Aadmi Party leader.

"The remark shows what he thinks about women. He made a comment in the presence of chief minister (Arvind Kejriwal) who did not stop him from using such words for women," Gupta said.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee also termed the statement "derogatory".

"It is absolutely disgusting and derogatory towards women, but it is not surprising coming from someone who defied law even when he was the law minister of Delhi," Mukherjee said.

Somnath Bharti on Monday stated in the Delhi assembly that "beautiful women" would be able to go out at midnight if the AAP government took over policing in the national capital.

"I am fully confident that if the Delhi government is given full freedom (over security), beautiful women laden with jewellery will be able to go out even after midnight without any fear," Bharti said.

Meanwhile, Bharti's estranged wife Lipika Mitra also criticised him over his remark.

"I am an average looking woman; maybe, that is why I was ill-treated by him. He clearly is not concerned about my security but only the security of beautiful women," she said.