Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Nov 10: The Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju while attacking the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has warned that the next aim of the Narendra Modi government would be eliminate the “Dimagi Naxals” in the country.
Hitting back at Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha over his open debate challenge to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the functioning of the Election Commission of India and other issues, Mr Rijiju said the Centre’s next aim would be to finish the ‘dimagi Naxal’ in the country.
Rijiju recalled how former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had once described Naxalism and Leftwing Extremism as the greatest threat India faces, as he targeted Gandhi. He also said the Congress leader must thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for finishing the Naxalites in the country.
“Rahul ji, thank Modi ji for eliminating the Armed Maoists. Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh ji had famously described Left-Wing Extremism and Naxalism as “The single biggest internal security threat” to India. Next target is to finish Dimagi Naxals,” Rijiju, who is also the Minister of Minority Affairs, said on X.
The Janata Dal (United), a key coalition member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), also questioned Gandhi’s open debate challenge to PM Modi, with party’s working president Sanjay Kumar Jha terming it as “ridiculous.” Jha, a Rajya Sabha member, said Gandhi has adopted a “hit and run” strategy, and was avoiding a debate on the floor of Parliament.
“The BJP has already said he may debate whichever issue he wants on the Parliament floor. But when Parliament is in session, the leader of the opposition is seldom seen participating in a debate. He has been indulging in hit-and-run. He levels a charge and runs away. He must realise this is not a WWE wrestling match,” Jha told reporters.
Gandhi has repeatedly challenged Mr Modi for an open debate “at any place and time” at PM’s choice over his accusations that the opposition has sorted assistance from foreign powers. In response, Gandhi has alleged that PM Modi has sought “foreign help” to remain in power.
On Monday, he also questioned PM Modi’s “Dimagi Naxals” remarks while addressing CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, saying the prime minister must decide the time and date for his open debate dare.
“My challenge stands. Let him debate me on who is anti-national and who is controlled by foreign forces. Any time, any place. My guarantee: after the debate, the PM won’t have the guts to stand in front of a single jawan again,” Gandhi said on X.