Sanjay Gaikwad, an MLA of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, sparked a row on Monday after he announced a reward of Rs 11 lakh to anyone who will “chops off the tongue” of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his statement on reservation in the US.

Gaikwad’s statement comes days after the Rae Bareli MP, in the United States, said that the Congress party would think of scrapping reservations.

Speaking to reporters, the Shinde Sena MLA said, “Rahul Gandhi made a statement regarding giving an end to reservation in the country at a time when the demands for reservation are rising.”

“Rahul Gandhi wants to end reservation for backward tribals and others and hence he is using the language of ending it,” Gaikwad said.

“In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi spread a false narrative to get votes. Today he is speaking the language of ending reservation from the country and has shown the real face of the Congress. This is my challenge whoever chops off Rahul Gandhi’s tongue will be given a reward of Rs 11 lakh on my behalf,” he added.

The Shiv Sena MLA called Gandhi’s remarks the biggest treachery of the people and said communities like Marathas, Dhangars and OBCs are fighting for reservation but before that, Gandhi is talking about ending its benefits.

He continued saying that Congress leader Gandhi used to show the Constitution book and spread a fake narrative that the BJP would change it.

“But it is the Congress that plans to take the country back by 400 years. On one hand, demands of reservation are rising in Maharashtra, and there Rahul Gandhi made a statement to end reservation in the country,” Gaikwad added.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate slammed Shiv Sena and its ally in Maharashtra, BJP, after Gaikwad’s disgusting remarks against Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference, Shrinate asked who is behind such violent statements that BJP leaders and their allies are using against the Opposition leader. “Whose protection do they enjoy?” Shrinate said.

Such violent statements against the Leader of the Opposition will not be tolerated at all in a democracy, she said.

“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah do not take action against these people then it is clear that this is being done at their behest,” the Congress spokesperson said.

The BJP, however, has distanced itself from Gaikwad’s remarks. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule said he does not support or endorse the Shiv Sena MLA’s statements.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday asserted that there were attempts to revive terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and added that it will be “buried to such a level” in the Union Territory that it can never rise again.

Addressing a public rally in Kishtwar, Shah said the National Conference-Congress alliance will not be able to form the J&K government.

“We will bury terrorism to such a level where it will never come out again. Attempts are on to revive terrorism as the National Conference and Congress manifesto talks about releasing terrorists. This is the Modi government and nobody has the power to revive terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir,” Shah said addressing an election rally in Padder-Nagseni assembly segment in support of  BJP’s candidate and former minister Sunil Sharma here.

“This election is between two powers, on one side National Conference and PDP and on the other BJP. The NC and Congress are saying that if we form the government we will restore Article 370. Tell me should it be restored? Your reservation, given by BJP to Paharis and Gujjars and others, will be snatched.

Launching a scathing attack on the alliance party in UT, the senior BJP leader said the Congress and National Conference have always nourished terrorism. “In the 1990s, Farooq Abdullah was the CM, you were elected after an agreement with Rajeev Gandhi. When the Kashmir Valley was soaked in blood due to terrorism, where were you? You went to London for a summer vacation,” he added.

“Nehru, Gandhi and Abdullah family spread terrorism here and now they want your blessings again. They boycotted the Kashmiri Pandits, spread terrorism and delayed reservation, do you want that NC-Congress again?” he said.

The Union Home Minister said that he had promised the Gurjars that the reservation would be given to Pahadis without affecting the previous one. “And now, the Modi government has given reservation to Pahadis without touching the Gurjar reservation. Now the Gurjars and Pahadis have tribal reservation, now your children can also become Collectors and DSPs,” he added.

“PM Modi abolished the rule of the three families and established Panchayati Raj in the state. The children will represent in the Vidhan Sabha and the Lok Sabha soon. PM Modi wants to make a Viksit J&K and wants to give the right of reservation to the OBC also,” Shah said.

This was the home minister’s second visit to Jammu region within a fortnight. Earlier, during his two-day visit to Jammu on September 6 and 7, he released BJP’s manifesto for J-K assembly elections and addressed a workers convention.

Monday is the last day for campaigning in 24 assembly constituencies, including Padder-Nagseni, which goes to polls in the first phase on September 18.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a metro ride along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel from Section 1 Metro Station to GIFT City Metro Station after inaugurating the second phase of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail project.

Apart from Gujarat Chief Minister Patel, Prime Minister Modi was also accompanied by Governor Acharya Devvrat. During the metro ride, PM Modi also took the opportunity to interact with the youth of the state.

In his post on X, PM Modi shared pictures of him travelling in the metro and interacting with the youth. He said: “Inaugurated Phase-II of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project and on the way to today’s programme with energetic youngsters.”

The Phase-II project of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail will establish a 21 km route connecting the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Motera to Gandhinagar Sector 1, incorporating eight stations.

This extensive project, completed at an approximate cost of Rs. 5,384 crore, will integrate key destinations such as Gujarat National Law University, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, GIFT City, and more.

Following the inauguration of the second phase, the Ahmedabad Metro Rail network will span 68 km across two lines, the north-south corridor and the east-west corridor, encompassing a total of 54 stations, including four underground stations. The first phase, officially opened by the Prime Minister in 2022, comprises a 33.5-km-long north-south corridor with a travel duration of 65 minutes and a fare of Rs 35.

Today, PM Modi is set to unveil the nation’s inaugural Vande Bharat Metro, now renamed as the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. This futuristic train system is designed to enhance connectivity between Bhuj and Ahmedabad, covering a distance of 359 km in just 5.45 hours.

For the general public, regular metro services are scheduled to commence from Ahmedabad on September 17, with the entire journey priced at Rs 455.

It is noteworthy that PM Modi recently visited his home state for the first time following the Lok Sabha polls, engaging with the beneficiaries of the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijlee Yojna’, a scheme offering free electricity, in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.