Ajay Rai’s ‘nimbu-mirchi’ jibe over Rafale use in Pahalgam aftermath sparks BJP-Congress row
New Delhi: A political row erupted after Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai used a toy plane hung with lemon and chillies to question the government’s response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Rai made a symbolic reference, aimed at the Centre’s inaction despite possessing Rafale fighter jets, to the popular superstition of warding off evil with a “nimbu-mirchi” charm.
With the toy plane in his hands, Rai questioned, “When will they take action against terrorists and those who support them? Rafale jets are parked in hangars, protected with lemons and chillies. Our youth went to Pahalgam full of joy, but their bodies came back in coffins.”
The BJP responded, accusing the Congress of echoing Pakistan’s narrative. BJP’s spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, “Ajay Rai has not just held a toy plane, he has insulted the armed forces and played into Pakistan’s hands.” He claimed that while the Congress publicly pledged support to the Centre following the attack, its other leaders have acted to demoralize Indian forces.
Poonawala said, “This isn’t an isolated slip-up, it’s a pattern,” citing previous controversial comments by Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Charanjit Singh Channi, Vijay Wadettiwar and RB Timmapur.
The video was picked up by Pakistan’s media, adding fuel to the BJP’s criticism that the Congress was acting like a “PR agent” for India’s adversaries. Despite the backlash, Rai stood by his statement, saying, “I am only asking when Rafale will be used. The country is waiting for action against the Pahalgam killers.” He also added that while the Congress supports the government in fighting terrorism, people have a right to question its strategy.
The Congress leadership has cautioned its members against making off-the-cuff remarks after getting caught off guard by repeated flare-ups. The Communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh clarified on X that only views expressed by Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and authorized AICC office-bearers represent the official party line.
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Illegally stored gas cylinders seized
Thane (PTI): Authorities have seized illegally stored 1,839 gas cylinders and seven vehicles worth over Rs 67 lakh in the Dombivli MIDC area of Thane district, officials said on Saturday.
A special vigilance team of the Mumbai Rationing Department detected an illegal storage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders in Phase-2 of Dombivli (East).
Cylinders belonging to multiple gas agencies were found stockpiled in closed vehicles, unauthorised warehouses, and open sheds without mandatory permissions from the Explosives Department, Fire Department, or oil companies, according to an official release.
