BJP rebukes Chidambaram over 'dimagi naxal' remark, demands explanation

Patna, Aug 16 (AHN) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday launched a scathing attack at senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram over his 'diamagi Naxal' comments and demanded from the former Home Minister as to what he meant by his objectionable assertions.

Chidambaram's retort on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for identifying and isolating 'dimagi Naxals' during Independence Day speech, triggered a sharp political clash between the BJP and Congress with the former firing volleys at the grand old party.

BJP MP and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed a press conference in Patna on Sunday over Chidambaram's "I am proud to be dimagi naxal" remark, dubbing it as "highly irresponsible" and "in bad taste".

Prasad said that despite being a former Home Minister and a senior advocate, Chidambaram failed to understand the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement.

The BJP leader said that PM Modi presented a roadmap for 'Developed India' (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 during the Independence Day speech and while speaking about the youth, farmers, and all sections of society, the Prime Minister mentioned that the government succeeded in eliminating Naxalism but there were some who still harbour a 'Naxalite mindset'.

It was in response to this remark that Chidambaram took to his X account and wrote, "I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!".

Prasad demanded that the Congress leader explains what he meant by this statement.

He said that Chidambaram is a Rajya Sabha MP, senior Supreme Court lawyer, and former Union Home Minister and therefore, a greater degree of responsibility and seriousness was expected of him.

Recalling his own experiences as the Chhattisgarh Congress In-charge, the BJP spokesman said that he observed the 'changing ground' situation first-hand.

Prasad claimed that an entire ecosystem within the Congress has maintained a soft stance towards Maoism and Naxalism.

He added that 'Dimagi naxal' and 'Urban Naxal' are merely different manifestations of the same mindset.

He alleged that Chidambaram's remarks show how Congress-led UPA government functioned.

"During Manmohan Singh government tenure, 76 BSF and CRPF personnel were murdered by Maoists. Yet, Chidambaram said that he was willing to hold talks. An event was organised in jail where plans were laid out to welcome those who carried out the attacks," the senior BJP leader claimed.

He also targeted Congress over the issue of 'Vande Mataram', calling it unfortunate that the party leadership objected to the singing of national song at the party headquarters.

He remarked that it is a serious matter for the Congress leadership, which claims to have played a pivotal role in the freedom movement, to show such disrespect towards the national song.

He demanded that the Congress apologises to the nation for insulting 'Vande Mataram'.