Manoj Tiwari draws flak for donning military fatigues at BJP’s 'Vijay Sankalp' bike rally

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari has landed in hot water after attending a party rally wearing military fatigues in the national capital. Tiwari, MP from North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, was recently seen wearing Armed Forces uniform while flagging off party’s Vijay Sankalp bike rally in the Yamuna Vihar. Soon after that, people started accusing him of trying to cash in on the recent aerial face-off between India and Pakistan.

Among the first to target the BJP lawmaker on social media was Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien who said it was a 'shameless act' on Tiwari's part.          

"Shameless. Shameless. Shameless. Manoj Tewari BJP MP and Delhi President wearing Armed Forces uniform and seeking votes. BJP-Modi-Shah insulting and politicising our jawans. And then giving lectures on patriotism. Low life," he tweeted, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah took a potshot at Tiwari and posted a photograph of him addressing BJP workers along with a caption that read: "And senior BJP leaders including the Hon PM want to lecture the opposition about politicising the recent military action. Go figure!"

Shameless. Shameless. Shameless. Manoj Tewari BJP MP and Delhi President wearing Armed Forces uniform and seeking votes. BJP-Modi-Shah insulting and politicising our jawans. And then giving lectures on patriotism. Low life

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 3, 2019

Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee termed it political move and tweeted, "Utterly disgusting & disgraceful! A soldier sacrifices his life to uphold the dignity & honour of this uniform. And BJP MP @ManojTiwariMP is turning it into Tamasha resorting to cheap stunts & cheaper politics,"

Drawing flak, Tiwari clarified, "I wore (it) simply because I felt proud of my Army. I am not in Indian army but I was expressing my feeling of solidarity. Why should it be treated like an insult? I have the highest regard for our Army. By (this) logic, tomorrow if I wear a Nehru Jacket, will it be an insult to Jawaharlal Nehru?"