In a move that may backfire on the Congress party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Congress leader and spokesperson Supriya Shrinate referred to the Naxals killed in a recent encounter in Chhattisgarh as “Shaheed or Martyrs”. The encounter, which occurred on April 16, resulted in the deaths of 29 Naxals, marking one of the largest operations against them in recent memory.
Responding to questions from journalists about the encounter and whether the party was politicising the issue, Shrinate clarified that the Congress had no such intention. However, she insisted on an investigation into the encounter.
Expressing condolences to the slain “martyrs” and the security personnel injured in the encounter, Shrinate’s remarks drew attention and debate. The encounter, which lasted for approximately four hours, involved teams of DRG and BSF cordoning off the area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition from the deceased naxals.
This incident is not the first time Shrinate has courted controversy. Recently, amidst the announcement of Kangana Ranaut as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, a purported post on Shrinate’s Instagram account garnered attention for its derogatory reference to Ranaut and Mandi, sparking a political uproar.
In a post on Instagram that had gone viral, the Congress leader’s handle had put up a post with Kangana’s image and a derogatory caption referring to the “rate card” in Mandi.
