I am a 'Dimagi Naxal': Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Kapil Sibal addressed a gathering on Sunday, revealing that he identifies himself as a "Dimagi Naxal." This term, coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP party, targets individuals they perceive as sympathizers of Naxalism. Sibal delivered his remarks at a talk titled "Horse Trade and Democracy," discussing the issue of horse trading in politics.

Sibal confessed, "I have to make a confession. I am a Dimagi Naxal," during his opening speech. He explained that this term is wielded by Modi as a warning to the nation about the presence of individuals who have infiltrated the system and continue to threaten society through policy manipulation. The prime minister has urged citizens to identify and isolate these so-called "Dimagi Naxals."

The MP then shifted his focus to the topic of horse trading, explaining its historical significance. In ancient times, horses played a crucial role in determining the outcomes of wars. Consequently, the sellers of horses employed various deceptive tactics while selling them to buyers. The sellers were the tricksters, while the buyers were the unsuspecting ones.

Fast forward to the present, Sibal argued that the roles have reversed. Today, it is the buyers who engage in deceptive practices. He asserted that horse trading is no longer a fleeting political scandal but rather a constitutional crisis. This issue strikes at the heart of representative government, the integrity of the vote, and the foundational principles of parliamentary democracy.

Sibal emphasized that horse trading constitutes an ugly practice, characterized by the organized purchase or inducement of elected representatives to secure a majority that was not originally chosen by the people. He noted that this phenomenon can take various forms, from crude offers of cash and office to more sophisticated schemes involving mergers. Ultimately, he contended that the result of such practices is that while citizens vote for one mandate, power is delivered to another.