"Rahul and Priyanka won because 'Kerala is mini Pakistan'"; Nitesh Rana's controversial remark sparks row

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra's BJP Minister Nitesh Rana made a controversial statement that Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka won because 'Kerala is a mini Pakistan'. "Both of them won the elections because of the support of terrorist organizations," the minister alleged at a function in Pune.

As the statement became controversial, the minister clarified that it was said in the background of issues like religious conversion and jihad and that Kerala is a part of India. "The decreasing number of Hindus in Kerala is worrying. Conversion of Hindus has become a daily thing'" said the minister.

Rane should resign

The Maharashtra Congress came forward with the demand that Rane, the Minister of Fisheries and Ports, should be sacked. AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal also demanded the disqualification of Nitesh Rane who violated the oath. "The Prime Minister should respond to Rane's statement of making enemies of the people based on religion. Rane has hurt the secular mind of Kerala. The statement will be dealt with legally and politically. Rane's remark is a repetition of Modi's comparison of Kerala with Somalia and with Pakistan by Amit Shah. The voice of CPM leader Vijayaraghavan and Rane is one," Venugopal said.