Arrest me if I am a Naxal sympathizer: Digvijaya Singh
What's the story
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh dared the government on Tuesday to arrest him if he has had any association with the Maoists as alleged by the BJP. Singh also alleged that the recent arrest of Left-wing activists was an example of "Gujarat model of governance", referring to the alleged fake encounters which took place when Narendra Modi was the Gujarat Chief Minister. Here's more.
Statement
First, BJP termed me anti-national and now a Naxalite: Digvijaya
"If I am guilty, I challenge the Center and the state government to arrest me," Singh said. "First, they termed me anti-national and now a Naxalite. If it is so, then arrest me today itself," he said. "It was alleged that they (activists) wanted to kill (PM) Narendra Modi...it was the same Gujarat model of governance in which fake encounters took place," he said.
Naxalism
Earlier, BJP accused the Congress of compromising national security
Earlier Tuesday, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Congress of compromising national security for political opportunism. Patra said Sonia Gandhi-headed National Advisory Council was a "supporting ground for Naxalites" and some party leaders "romanticized" Naxalism. Patra also sought to question opposition party leaders, including Digvijaya and Jairam Ramesh, for what the BJP said was indicative of their alleged support to people with "Naxal links".