Political Storm Erupts Over Rahul Gandhi's Social Media Post
The Bharatiya Janata Party launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, accusing him of fueling sympathies for Maoist elements through his social media activity. The governing party questioned whether Gandhi was offering tacit endorsement to "urban naxals" by amplifying a video that featured individuals with alleged pro-Maoist leanings.
The Controversial Video and BJP's Allegations
According to BJP claims, a video shared by Rahul Gandhi on his social media platforms addressing the issue of pollution included participants who had previously raised pro-Naxal slogans. The party specifically mentioned that some individuals in the video had expressed support for slain Maoist commander Hidma during a protest in the national capital that was ostensibly about air pollution.
The controversy deepened as BJP revealed that Delhi police have arrested some persons connected to the protest incident. In a series of posts on X, the BJP stated, "Rahul Gandhi's dangerous flirtation with Naxalite terrorism. Naxalite apologists remain entrenched in Congress leadership."
Government's Anti-Naxal Campaign Gains Momentum
The political confrontation comes at a significant time when the Naxal footprint in the country is rapidly shrinking according to government assessments. Home Minister Amit Shah has set an ambitious target, promising to completely eradicate the insurgent movement by March 31 next year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah are currently attending the DGPs conference in Raipur, where the security forces' progress against the "red menace" is expected to be a key discussion point. The timing of the BJP's accusations against the Congress leader suggests the governing party intends to keep the focus on national security issues.
The controversy represents another chapter in the ongoing political battle between India's two major parties, with the BJP positioning itself as tough on security matters while portraying the Congress as soft on extremism. The allegations come amid the government's intensified campaign against left-wing extremism across several states.
