BJP’s North East Delhi Lok Sabha candidate and sitting MP Manoj Tiwari has taken a swipe at the INDIA bloc nominee Kanhaiya Kumar, labeling him as “a supporter of terrorists like Afzal Guru”. Tiwari also said that the upcoming electoral battle between him and Kanhaiya Kumar would be very interesting. Speaking exclusively to India Today TV, Tiwari asserted that both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have exposed themselves by fielding the former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president in Lok Sabha polls. “I find the electoral contest between me and Kanhaiya Kumar very interesting. I believe that Kanhaiya Kumar’s nomination from the North East Delhi seat will reveal the opposition’s conspiracy and help us bolster our re-election prospects. By fielding Kanhaiya Kumar, both Congress and the AAP have completely exposed their true faces,” Manoj Tiwari said. The AAP and the Congress — both constituents of the opposition-led INDIA bloc — are contesting the general elections in an alliance in Delhi this time. Manoj Tiwari, the only sitting MP retained by the BJP in the capital city, will take on Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi when it goes to poll on May 25. When asked about the old controversies surrounding Kanhaiya Kumar and how it will impact the voters in the upcoming polls, the BJP MP said, “It will certainly be taken into consideration by the voters. People want security, but Congress’s candidate always speaks about breaking the country into pieces (a reference to the ‘tukde-tudke’ row). No matter how hard he tries to hide it during the elections, his behavior tells it all.” The Bhojpuri actor and singer-turned-politician also alleged that Kanhaiya Kumar is a supporter of terrorists. “Kanhaiya Kumar is a supporter of terrorists like Afzal Guru. He once said ‘Afzal hum sharminda hain, tere katil zinda hain’ . You defend the one who attacked our Parliament. You abuse Indian soldiers. Won’t people remember all this while voting?” he said. The BJP leader also claimed that the leadership of Congress and AAP are following the divisive footsteps of Kanhaiya Kumar, adding that workers and supporters of both parties are hesitant and disappointed. Notably, Tiwari’s North East Delhi was hit by a riot in February 2020, resulting in the death of around 50 people and hundreds of injuries, besides a massive loss of public and private property. North East Delhi constituency has a sizeable population of minorities, with a dominance of people from Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, known as Purvanchalis. Both Manoj Tiwari and Kanhaiya Kumar hail from Bihar.
BJP’s Manoj Tiwari’s Attack on Kanhaiya Kumar in North East Delhi Lok Sabha Battle
