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Ajoy Kumar’s Slip of the Tongue on Sikkim Prompts Apology as BJP Demands Accountability

His apology followed his reference to Sikkim as a neighbouring country, with BJP leaders intensifying pressure, regional representatives demanding formal action

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BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised Congress for a statement on Sikkim.
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Overview

  • Ajoy Kumar apologised on July 2 after referring to Sikkim as a neighbouring country in a July 1 press conference on the SAIL ₹400 crore scandal, describing the remark as a slip of the tongue.
  • The BJP Sikkim unit denounced the error as outrageous and ignorant and signalled plans for a dedicated press conference, while national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla branded the Congress Jinnahwadi for allegedly undermining unity.
  • Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha MP and regional parties including the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and Citizens Action Party condemned the remark as insulting to the state’s identity and demanded formal censure.
  • Kumar has shifted focus to alleged governance failures, challenging the BJP to address substantive issues such as the SAIL ₹400 crore scam and local party misconduct instead of his verbal slip.
  • The incident has underscored the sensitivity of Sikkim’s 1975 accession and its 50th year of statehood, highlighting the potency of territorial rhetoric in India’s partisan debates.