‘Shameless’: Manoj Tiwari Faces Flak for Attending BJP Election Rally in Army Fatigues

New Delhi: Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari was on Sunday accused of politicising Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman’s capture and subsequent release after he wore military fatigues to a BJP rally in New Delhi.

Tiwari flagged off BJP's ‘Vijay Sankalp Bike Rally’ in Yamuna Vihar in his North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday wearing military fatigues. He also recited a poem about Wing Commander Varthaman during the launch of the rally.

In a scathing tweet, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien said Tiwari was “insulting” and “politicising" the country’s soldiers. “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 wrote.

Tiwari also posted pictures of him addressing the gathering and riding a bike in military fatigues.

Drawing flak, Tiwari tweeted on Sunday, "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?"