New Delhi:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sharply criticized Maharashtra Chief Minister Nitesh Rane's comment on the southern state. He has described the comment as “very malicious” and “utterly condemnable” and said it reflects hate campaigns against Kerala.
“Maharashtra Fisheries and Harbors Minister @NiteshNRane's derogatory remark labeling Kerala as 'mini-Pakistan' is deeply malicious and completely condemnable. Such rhetoric reflects the hate campaigns orchestrated by the Sangh Parivar against Kerala, a bastion of secularism and communal harmony. We strongly condemn this despicable attack on Kerala and call on all democratic and secular forces to unite against the hateful propaganda of Sangh Parivar. Vijayan said in a post on X.
Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Minister's derogatory comment @NiteshNRanelabeling Kerala as 'mini-Pakistan' is deeply malicious and completely reprehensible. Such rhetoric reflects the hate campaigns orchestrated by the Sangh Parivar against Kerala, a bastion of secularism and…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) December 31, 2024
42-year-old Nitesh Rane, son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane, holds the fisheries and port development portfolios in the Devendra Fadnavis government. Targeting Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at a public meeting, Mr Rane said the siblings were chosen from Kerala's Wayanad as the state is 'mini-Pakistan'.
“Kerala is mini Pakistan, that's why Rahul Gandhi and his sister are elected there. All terrorists vote for them. This is the truth, you may ask. They became MPs after taking terrorists with them,” Rane said.
The comments provoked scathing responses from opposition parties. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “What else can you expect from Nitesh Rane? He was chosen to do this alone. However, I would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis. The person (Rane) is a minister and has the oath of the Constitution to (preserve) the sovereignty and unity of India. Now he is labeling one of the states of the country as Pakistan. He calls the voters there 'terrorists'. Should he have the right to remain in the ministerial position?” he added.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey said, “BJP leaders are worried as PM Modi has won only by one lakh votes, they are not able to repeat Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's victory (by a margin of 4 lakh votes ) to process.”
Clyde Crasto, spokesperson of the Sharad-Pawar-led NCP (SP), said: “Nitesh Rane always speaks like this, the BJP will have to make it clear whether they agree with these statements. The BJP will be accountable to the people of Kerala and India. These statements can only come from people who have gone crazy.
Amid the growing controversy, Mr Rane provided an explanation. “Kerala is a large part of India. However, the declining population of Hindus is something that should concern everyone. The religious conversion of Hindus into Muslims and Christians has become an everyday occurrence there.”