PM degree issue 'political gimmickry' by AAP, BJP: Swaraj Abhiyan leader

Bhopal, May 11: Ongoing controversy over educational credentials of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a "political gimmickry" and seems a "friendly sparring" between Aam Aadmi Party and BJP, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Anand Kumar claimed on Tuesday.

"This is all 'rajnitik chuhalbazi' (political gimmickry). The country, including Delhi, is facing a severe water crisis, inflation, unemployment and clean air crisis and they are indulging in character assassination through non-political means," Swaraj Abhiyaan's national convener and former AAP leader Kumar said.

He was reacting to a query here on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioning the authenticity of educational degrees of the PM.

"Same thing applies to NaMo (Narendra Modi). When 70 RTIs were filed on the issue, then you should have made things crystal clear ('doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani') on the very first. What problem you have in admitting that you belong to a poor house and that you did not have an opportunity to study," Kumar said, adding both sides are indulging in "noora kushti" (friendly sparring).

On the degree issue, he said either Modi should file a defamation suit or Kejriwal should lodge an FIR if he knows the truth. "This is not an issue but unfortunately a section of media has made it a top matter in the country. If they want to fight they should focus on inflation, unemployment and women's security," Kumar said.

On Monday, BJP president Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had released copies of Modi's BA and MA degrees in response to AAP's allegations.

The AAP had said the documents were "forged" and had "glaring discrepancies" in them.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on claims made by AAP government through media advertisements on improvement in Delhi, Kumar said, "Thotha chana, baje ghana" (hollow claims make a lot of noise).

"Delhi is facing a severe water crisis and he (Kejriwal) is talking about sending water to Latur. I have a doubt whether he is accompanied by honest persons or not," he said.

PTI