Gujarat AAP chief detained over derogatory remarks against PM Modi

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 13, 2022: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat unit chief Gopal Italia has been detained and was taken to Sarita Vihar police station by the Delhi Police for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

The AAP leader was summoned by the National Commission of Women (NCW) in connection with a video where he was purportedly seen using derogatory remarks on the prime minister.

"The NCW chief is threatening to put me in jail. What can the Modi government give to the Patel community other than jail. The BJP hates Patidar society. I am a descendant of Sardar Patel. Not afraid of your prisons. Put me in jail," Gopal Italia said in a tweet before his detention.

The detention comes after NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma tweeted about a ruckus outside her office as the womens’ panel summoned Gopal Italia.

BJP’s IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya had on Sunday shared the purported video of Italia on Twitter where Italia can be heard calling PM Modi “neech aadmi” (a lowly person).

It has been reported that the video is from 2019 and was made during the run-up to the general elections.

Responding to the detention, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said: Why is the entire BJP behind Gopal Italia?

The AAP had defended its Gujarat unit chief, saying the BJP is using an old video of Gopal Italia to target him now as he comes from a poor family and belongs to the Patidaar community.

Gujarat has been a stronghold of the BJP, where it has been in power for nearly three decades. AAP has been trying to make inroads in the state by positioning itself as the main challenger to the BJP.

The party has now linked Gopal Italia’s detention to the election saying the BJP is rattled by AAP’s presence in Gujarat. The elections in the state are scheduled to be held later this year.

Courtesy: India Today