Haryana Minister Anij Vij sparks controversy, compares Rahul Gandhi to Nipah virus

Haryana Health Minister Anij Vij, who is known for his controversial statements, has compared Congress President Rahul Gandhi to the deadly Nipah virus, which has claimed several lives across the country.

Haryana Minister Anil Vij. Photo: PTI (File)

NEW DELHI: Haryana Health Minister Anij Vij, who is known for his controversial statements, has compared Congress President Rahul Gandhi to the deadly Nipah virus, which has claimed several lives across the country. "Rahul Gandhi is like Nipah virus. Any political party that comes in contact with him will be finished," Vij wrote on Twitter.

राहुल गांधी #निपाह वायरस के समान है । जो भी राजनीतिक पार्टी इसके सम्पर्क में आएगी वह फना हो जाएगी ।

— ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) May 27, 2018

The Nipah virus has so far claimed 13 lives in Kerala. Other states have also issued advisory for general public and healthcare personnel mentioning the preventive measures they should adopt in high-risk areas. Nipah virus is transmitted to humans through infected fruit bats, pigs or other Nipah-infected persons. The senior BJP leader, a five-time MLA from Ambala Cantt, is no stranger to controversies and has targetted Congress party and its leaders in past as well. Last year he had said the decision of making Rahul Gandhi as the Congress president would help Prime Minister Narendra Modi in making India "Congress Free." Vij had in 2016 stoked a controversy, saying "all Congress leaders have DNA for wrongdoings". He had then taken a dig at Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for her comment that she was not afraid of anyone as she was the daughter-in-law of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.