Big Embarrassment: NCP's Ahwad says Indira Gandhi choked democracy; 'Agreed,' replies BJP

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and NCP leer Jitendra Awh sparked a row after he said in a public rally that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi strangulated democracy and invited resistance and same will happen in country again. Housing Minister in Maha Vikas Aghi government was dressing an anti-CAA/NRC rally in Beed and his speech soon drew reaction from BJP, to which he was quick to rebuke.

On Wednesday, Jitendra Awh said, "Indira Gandhi h also strangulated democracy and body was rey to speak against her. n, students from Ahmedab and Patna protested and JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) movement started leing to her defeat. This history will be repeated in Maharashtra and country."

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BJP takes a jibe

Reacting on this remark, BJP leer Kirit Somaiya took a jibe at Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance stating that what Jitendra Awh said was true and NCP chief Shar Pawar, Shiv Sena and Congress should agree on this. "I agree with Awh. I hope or partners of Thackeray Sarkar Shivsena & Congress will agree with Awh (sic)," Somaiya wrote on Twitter.

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Awh hits back, cites long list of Indira's achievements

Hitting back at Kirit Somaiya, Jitendra Awh posted a rebuttal video on Twitter in which he listed all major accomplishments of Indira Gandhi but also pointed to her fault of suspending civil liberties during Emergency. "Indira Gandhi backed establishment of Mumbai as state's capital, nationalised banks, abolished privileges to former monarchs, broke Pakistan into two, annexed Sikkim and stung Chinese, conducted nuclear tests in Pokharan but Emergency she imposed during 1975-77 and suspension of civil liberties invited a backlash. Students rallied behind JP movement and began protesting. This is history, everyone is aware of this."

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comparison of Indira Gandhi with Modi-Shah

He ded, "Today, Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are infringing upon civil liberties and people are standing up as y did in Indira Gandhi's time. My friend Kirit Somaiya should te that I am a supporter of Indira Gandhi and I'm t ashamed of saying it out loud. re can be comparison of Indira Gandhi with Modi-Shah."

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