MVA Condemns Maharashtra BJP Minister for Calling Kerala a 'Mini-Pakistan'

Mumbai, Dec 30 (NationPress) The Maha Vikas Aghadi has strongly criticized Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minister, Nitesh N. Rane, for his statement describing Kerala as a 'mini-Pakistan', claiming that Congress leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra receive votes from terrorists.

Leading figures in the MVA, including Pawan Khera from Congress, Atul Londhe, Anand Dubey and Kishore Tiwari from Shiv Sena (UBT), along with Clyde Crasto from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), have labeled Rane's comments as 'unconstitutional' and born from a 'lack of education'.

Rane, whose father is former Chief Minister and ex-union minister Narayan Rane, made these remarks during an event in Pune to celebrate Shiv Pratap Din, which commemorates Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's victory over the Bijapur Sultanate's General Afzal Khan in 1659 at Pratapgad Fort.

While he praised Hindu activists from Kerala for rescuing 12,000 Hindu girls, he controversially stated, 'Kerala is nothing but a mini-Pakistan. This is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister (Priyanka Vadra) get elected from there. All the terrorists are the ones who vote for them.' He insisted that he was stating facts, implying that the Gandhi siblings owe their parliamentary seats to terrorist support.

This reference to the Gandhis relates to Rahul Gandhi's electoral success in Wayanad, Kerala, and his defeat in Amethi in 2019. However, in 2024, he won both Amethi and Wayanad, while Priyanka Vadra also triumphed in Wayanad during the 2024 Lok Sabha by-elections.

Londhe sharply questioned, 'What can we expect from him? We must ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis how someone can continue as a Cabinet Minister after calling one of our states a mini-Pakistan. We pledge unity, and I expected both PM and CM, who deliver patriotic speeches, to prevent such individuals from remaining in the ministry.'

Crasto referred to Rane as a 'motormouth' who requires the BJP's control, emphasizing that he has insulted and belittled a vital state of India, which is highly regrettable.

He demanded, 'Does the BJP support his views? The reality is that a mentally illiterate Nitesh Rane is shamelessly denigrating the most educated state in India. The BJP must respond to this.'

Tiwari stated that with such reckless and shameless comments, 'Nitesh Rane is making overt efforts to incite division among communities in Kerala, which has consistently rejected the BJP,' and he should be dismissed for breaching his oath of office.

Khera bluntly asked, 'Will BJP President J.P. Nadda confirm whether the party will contest the upcoming elections in Kerala? These unconstitutional remarks from BJP leaders are repeatedly in violation of the Constitution.'

'If Rane's claims hold any truth, then why hasn't the Kerala Governor, appointed by the President, reported to the Centre on how that state has turned into a mini-Pakistan?' questioned a frustrated Dubey.

The NCP has urged the state BJP to take note of Rane's statements, known for sparking controversies in the past, and take appropriate action.

Rane, a first-time Minister, assured Hindutva activists, 'You are not alone; we are here with you as the government.'

'The state has a saffron-clad CM; Hindutva activists should have no fear. If anyone acts unlawfully against Hindus or Hinduism, we will not let them off without consequences,' Rane declared, adding that although he bears ministerial duties and restrictions, the 'work of Hindutva must proceed vigorously.'

During the event at the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi in Saswad (Pune), organized by the Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite Gaushala and Gaurakshak Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders such as Dadaji Vedak and Sanjay ‘Kaka’ Sharma were honored for their services.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com)