Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal has stepped into the ongoing political row over the term 'intellectual naxal', declaring himself to be one on grounds of patriotism. Stating that he takes pride in being labelled as such if it stems from loving the country, his remarks have escalated the rhetoric between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition.
Kejriwal Shared Statement on Social Media
Arvind Kejriwal clarified his stance through a post on social media platform X. He wrote that he accepts the 'intellectual naxal' tag because he is a patriot, adding that he is proud of this identity. By equating the controversial label with national service, the AAP leader sought to counter political opponents who routinely use the phrase against critics.
Row Began Following Remarks by P. Chidambaram
The controversy gathered momentum after senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram publicly addressed the 'intellectual naxal' moniker, expressing pride in the description. Chidambaram's comments drew immediate reactions online and from political commentators, with many pointing back to his tenure as Union Home Minister and the measures taken against Naxalism during his time in office.
BJP Counter-Attacks as AAP's Sanjay Singh Joins Debate
Responding swiftly to Arvind Kejriwal's statement, the BJP launched a fiery counter-attack, questioning the rationale of embracing such labels for political leverage. Meanwhile, AAP leader Sanjay Singh came out strongly in support of Kejriwal, directing sharp criticism at the ruling party. The exchanged accusations have intensified the ongoing debate over political terminology.
