The Congress, on Thursday, 11 January, accused Union Minister Nitin Gadkari of insulting the Indian Navy. Earlier in the day, Gadkari had said "not an inch" of land would be given to the force for building houses in upscale south Mumbai.
Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the "pseudo-nationalist" BJP now wanted to give "certificates of loyalty" to the armed forces.
Others also took to Twitter to express their anger over the minister’s statement.
Not an Inch of Land for Navy: Gadkari
At a public even in Mumbai on Thursday, Gadkari had said:
Actually, Navy is needed at the borders from where terrorists sneak in. Why does everyone (in the Navy) want to stay in South Mumbai? They (Navy) had come to me, asking for a plot (of land). I will not give even an inch of land. Please don’t come to me again.
The Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources made the remark while voicing his disappointment at the Navy's objection to a floating jetty plan at Malabar Hill in south Mumbai, where a floating hotel and seaplane service are planned.
A few important and senior officials can stay in Mumbai, Gadkari said, adding that land on the eastern seafront being jointly developed by the state-run Mumbai Port Trust and the Maharashtra government would be utilised only for the benefit of local citizens.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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