'We can be political rivals but ... ': BJP's reaction on minister's Rahul 'No. 1 terrorist' remark

NEW DELHI: In a first reaction to party leader and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu's "number one terrorist" remark against Rahul Gandhi, BJP leader MA Naqvi distanced the party from the statement on Monday and said the comments were against the party's culture and in "bad taste".
"This is neither the BJP's culture nor that of our country. We can be political rivals and opponents but indulging in such dirty talk and using such a language is in bad taste," Naqvi told PTI when asked about Bittu's remarks targeting Gandhi.
"Those who talk like this, it is injurious to their political health. The BJP's culture of politeness is its USP and must be adhered to by all," he said, without taking anyone's name.
Union minister Bittu on Sunday hit out at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi a day earlier calling him the "number one terrorist" and enemy of India. He was targeting the Congress leader over his remarks on Sikhs community while on a visit to the United States.
"I think he doesn't love his country much because he goes abroad and says negative things about India. I think he is not a Hindustani," the minister said.
He alleged that now Gandhi has got support from the separatists, who always talk about dividing the country. The separatists and the most-wanted persons are also appreciating Gandhi for his remarks against Sikhs, he said.
"When such people, who are also experts in manufacturing bombs, are supporting Rahul Gandhi, then he is the number one terrorist of the country. He is talking like a separatist. There should be a reward for catching him as he is the biggest enemy of the country," he added.
Earlier, during his visit to the United States, Rahul Gandhi stirred a political storm with his remarks on Sikhs in India.
"First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether... he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions," Rahul had said at an event in Virginia.
Bittu's controversial reaction on Sunday, however, was met with criticism by the Congress.
Leader of opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa condemned Bittu's remarks saying it was deeply concerning that a minister, who drew a salary funded by taxpayers, failed to comprehend the constitutional values he is sworn to uphold.
"His derogatory remarks demonstrate not only a profound lack of education and understanding of parliamentary principles but also an appalling disregard for responsible public conduct," he said.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit also slammed the Union Minister over his controversial remarks and said that his political career in the Congress was also a mess.
"We can only pity such people. His political career in Congress was also a mess. He used to praise Rahul Gandhi, and now, after resigning from Congress and joining the BJP, he is showing his loyalty to the BJP party," Dixit said.
Congress leader Tariq Anwar said, "Ravneet Bittu has just joined the BJP from the Congress party and he wants to prove that he follows the ideology of BJP and is anti-Rahul Gandhi. That's why he is making these kinds of absurd statements."