The BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur's description of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a "patriot" has elicited reactions from both the TRS and the TDP. While the Andhra Chief Minister called the comment "depressing and disgusting", KT Rama Rao, the TRS working president dubbed it "reprehensible and abominable."
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said it was depressing and disgusting to hear that those who killed Mahatma Gandhi were being hailed as 'great patriots" by the BJP candidates.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was reacting to a statement by BJP candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, Pragya Singh Thakur.
"This speaks a lot about the nature of patriotism of not only BJP candidates but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi who supports such people," Naidu tweeted.
It's depressing & disgusting to hear that those who killed the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi are being hailed as great Patriots by BJP candidates. This speaks a lot about the nature of patriotism of not only BJP candidates but also @narendramodi, who supports such people.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) May 16, 2019
"First, they abused Maharashtra police officer Hemant Karkare who was martyred, now it's the turn of the father of the nation, an apostle of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi. Is this the Gujarat model the BJP wants to spread in the entire nation?" he asked.
KT Rama Rao also took to Twitter to tweet his view on the matter. "No matter what politics you affiliate with, what ideology you espouse; there are some lines that you just don't cross. Pragya Singh Thakur's statement is absolutely reprehensible and abominable."
No matter what politics you affiliate with, what ideology you espouse; there are some lines that you just don’t cross
— KTR (@KTRTRS) May 16, 2019
Pragya Singh Thakur’s statement is absolutely reprehensible and abominable. She should apologise unconditionally for vilifying the Father of our nation https://t.co/GgRIW1LFwu
The TRS leader, who is the son of Telangana Chief Minister and TRS President K. Chandrashekhar Rao, said Pragya Thakur should apologize unconditionally for vilifying the father of nation.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also tweeted that the BJP was standing by independent India's first terrorist.
"Remember, Narendra Modi has defended and endorsed Pragya's candidature. This is not a lunatic fringe and is definitely not her personal opinion, it is the BJP standing by Independent India's first terrorist. In a few years, Sri Sri Godse will also be recommended with a Bharat Ratna," tweeted Owaisi.
Remember, @narendramodi has defended & endorsed Pragya’s candidature
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 16, 2019
This is not a ‘lunatic fringe’ & is definitely not her “personal opinion”, it is the BJP standing by Independent India’s first terrorist. In few years, Sri Sri Godse will also be recommended with a Bharat Ratna https://t.co/2VVhc8xhQ3