New Delhi, April 1

Yogi Adityanath’s remark dubbing the Indian Army as “Modi ji ki sena” (Modi’s army) during an election campaign for the BJP created a political firestorm on Monday, with the Opposition leaders attacking the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for “insulting and humiliating” the force.

The Election Commission has also asked the District Magistrate of Ghaziabad to submit a report so that it can be checked whether there was any violation of the model code of conduct as it has already asked parties to “desist” from indulging in any propaganda involving defence forces during their Lok Sabha poll campaigns.

At a rally on Sunday, Adityanath, while campaigning for sitting MP and Union minister VK Singh in Ghaziabad, said what was “impossible” for the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party is possible under the BJP rule.

“Congress ke log aatank-wadiyon ko biryani khilate the aur Modi ji ki sena aatankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai (Congress people would feed biryani to terrorists, while Modi’s army gives them bullet or bomb). This is the difference,” he said.

The remarks have also not gone down well with the military with sources indicating that it was “upset”.

Lt Gen HS Panag (retd)  said, “Such comments lead to the politicisation of the Army.” — PTI