BJP defends Narendra Modi's "Jayanthi tax" remarks

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi’s “Jayanthi tax” remark has sparked off a fresh war of words between Congress and the BJP. While the BJP came to the defence of its Prime Ministerial candidate saying it had reason to believe that Jayanthi Natarajan was removed as minister of environment and forests recently because of this, the Congress said she was being targeted for various reasons, including her speaking out on the alleged stalking of a woman by Gujarat’s security agencies.

Alleging that she held back projects worth thousands of crores of rupees for “collateral interests”, the BJP said the department had functioned as a “red ministry”, failing to strike a balance between environment and development.

“BJP deems itfit to explain and has every reason to raise this issue... Modi’s Jayanthi tax remarks were not made off the cuff or on the sly,” party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. On Sunday, Modi had targeted Natarajan, saying he had heard of a “Jayanthi tax” in an apparent reference to allegations of money changing hands during her tenure.

The former minister retaliated by saying that she was targeted since she had opposed the destruction of the environment under BJP ruled Gujarat.

The sparring intensified on Monday. “Why were so many files and decisions pending? Why did the Prime Minister’s Office not do something when the projects were not cleared? The ministry functioned as a red ministry as it did not clear files and red flagged them. The ministry was cherry picking projects… I have reason to believe the minister was removed,” Sitharaman said.

Congress leaders defended Natarajan and hit back at the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate. “Modi’s comment on Jayanthi Natarajan is in a very bad taste. (It) should be condemned. He only knows to abuse but doesn’t give his vision,” party general secretary Digvijaya Singh said on Twitter.

Raj Babbar of the Congress said Natarajan was being targeted because she had been speaking against Modi on the stalking case.