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Rohit Kumar

NEW DELHI, July 6: In an apparent rebuttal to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal questioning his BJP counterpart Nitin Nabin’ credentials to attack the opposition leaders on “Hidutva,” the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday publicly praised the ruling party president for being a “man of simplicity and openness.”

Sharing two posts from journalist Piyush Padmakar, Nabin’s former hostel roommate during his academic years in Delhi, which detailed how he boarded with three other friends while studying in Delhi and depended on public buses to attend college, PM Modi praised Nabin, “This simplicity and straightforwardness are a matter of pride for every BJP worker.”

Detailing Mr Nabin’s journey from a student to becoming a legislator, Padmakar wrote the post on Sunday about his humility and how he lived frugally as a student despite his father being a legislator in Bihar. “…Even then, Nitin was the most disciplined and sociable among the four friends. If there were fights among us, it was Nitin who would resolve them,” Padmakar wrote.

In his post, Mr Modi did not name anyone, but it was seen as a rebuff to Mr Kejriwal after the former Delhi chief minister’s ‘who are you?’ jibe directed at the BJP chief after he attacked the opposition leaders.

It was the second time Mr Modi praised Mr Nabin’s “simplicity” and for having distinguished himself as a hardworking worker. He had showered similar praises on him when Mr Nabin was when Nabin was appointed as the BJP’s working president in December, last year.

Mr Modi had called Nabin an industrious leader with rich organizational experience and an impressive record as a legislator and minister in Bihar. “He has worked diligently to fulfill people’s aspirations. He is known for his humble nature and grounded style. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our party in the times to come…” Modi had said in a post on X.

Refusing to back down, the former Delhi CM responded to the PM. “Thank you for providing information about Nitin ji. Prime Minister ji, the entire country wants to know why those involved in the theft at Shri Ram Mandir, the land scam, and siphoning off commissions in the construction are being protected. When will they receive strict punishment?” Kejriwal posted.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief had triggered a political row after he asked Nabin “who” he was, quoting his statement from an organizational event in Lucknow. The BJP chief had accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Kejriwal of keeping mum on ‘anti-Hindu’ statements.

Speaking in Lucknow on Sunday, Nabin lashed out at leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav, saying they should not consider “Hindus as weak.” He accused them of staying silent when “their people insult Hindu deities.”

Kejriwal’s question triggered an attack from BJP leaders on Monday who in turn questioned Mr Kejriwal politicizing the alleged irregularities in donation collections at the Ram Temple. His successor as the Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta introduced Nabin by citing his political career from Bihar’s Bankipur to the capital. “Everyone knows you’re feeling desperate and disheartened. But it seems your ego is still riding high in the seventh heaven! By the way, Mamata ji once asked too, ‘Who is this Amit Shah?” Time answers every question. Even Ravana’s arrogance couldn’t hold; who are you to think your will?” she posted.

Mr Kejriwal’s former aide Swati Maliwal also had a dig at him accusing him of being the behind-the-scenes “Super CM” of Punjab. “From behind the curtain, you’ve seized control of the entire government, and under your government’s watch, Punjab is rife with rampant corruption, crime, and drugs…”

Defending Nabin, she added, “Through years of hard work, they’ve (Nabin) journeyed from worker to president. In your party, you are the president, you are the government, you are the super CM… This much arrogance is not good; it broke first in Delhi, now it will break in Punjab.”