Kochi: The Kerala unit of the BJP has targeted senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy over a tweet in the aftermath of the tension in the Indo-Pak ties following the Pulwama terror attack and border skirmishes.
In a tweet few days ago, the former Kerala chief minister had thanked former Indian cricketer and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for the likely role he played in the return of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was detained by Pakistan after his fighter craft was brought down by the Air Force of the neighbouring country. Chandy had also thanked the 'goodwill gesture' of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who had announced the decision to free Abhinandan.
Both Sidhu and Khan are friends and were contemporary cricketers who had represented their nations.
BJP state general secretary A N Radhakrishnan said that Chandy has become a ‘megaphone’ of Pakistan’s Prime Minister and its army. “What inspires Chandy to praise the Pakistan Prime Minister? Chandy, in fact, speaks the language of terrorists and Pakistanis,” he said.
Radhakrishnan also said Chandy should be jailed for making the tweet which it has termed 'anti-national'.
"Thanks to genuine efforts of @sherryontopp and the goodwill gesture from @ImranKhanPTI", Chandy had tweeted on March 1.
The BJP leader was speaking to the media during the ‘Parivarthana Yatra’ here on Thursday.
“Chandy has gone one step ahead of CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in this regard. He is creating insecurity among the religious minorities by making such statements.Does Chandy mistrust minorities? Will he express regret? Will Congress expel him? Congress workers need to ponder over such issues. The BJP is also considering legal action over the development,” said Radhakrishnan referring to the CPM leader's comment that the BJP intends to derail Lok Sabha polls by escalating hostility between India and Pakistan.
Radhakrishnan also condemned the use of bleaching powder during the ‘guruthi’ ritual conducted at the Chottanikkara Temple.
"This is part of a move to destroy the belief in temples and rituals,” alleged the BJP leader. “The Devaswom Minister should reveal his stand on the issue. Who will bear the responsibility if something untoward happened?” .
Radhakrishnan also accused the state government of sabotaging people-friendly central government schemes. “The Ayushman Bharat scheme is not being implemented in panchayats,” he said.
