I am a Dimagi Naxal: Kapil Sibal takes swipe at PM Modi

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday described himself as a "Dimagi Naxal", a term coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and used by the BJP against those it accuses of being ideological sympathisers of Naxalism. Sibal made the remark while speaking at a talk on "Horse Trade and Democracy".

Beginning his speech, Sibal said, "I have to make a confession. I am a 'Dimagi Naxal'." PM Modi had used the term to warn the country about "dimagi naxals" who, he alleged, had entrenched themselves in the system and continued to threaten society by manipulating policies. He had also urged citizens to "identify and isolate" them.

At the event organised by LiveLaw in Kochi, Sibal spoke about horse-trading and said that in ancient times, horses played an important role in determining the outcome of wars. He said that because of their importance, those selling horses often used tricks while dealing with buyers.

"It has now taken a different colour. At that point in time, it was the seller who used to be the trickster. At this point in time, it is the buyer who is the trickster. That is the difference," he said.

Sibal said horse-trading was not a "passing political scandal", but a "constitutional crisis".

"It strikes at representative government, at the integrity of the vote, and the basic structure of parliamentary democracy. Horse-trading is an ugly phrase for an uglier practice. It is the organised purchase or inducement of elected representatives so that a majority manufactured after the election replaces a majority chosen by the people. Sometimes it is crude -- cash, office, protection from investigation -- and sometimes it emerges as a respectable clothing of a merger," he said.

He said the result was that while the citizen votes for one mandate, "power is delivered to another", describing horse-trading as a practice that undermines the choice made by the electorate.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 13, 2026 13:52 IST