BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has courted yet another controversy by calling the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students and teachers 'naxalite'.

Amid reports about him being considered for the post of JNU vice-chancellor, Swamy also took a jibe over the education qualifications of the first prime minister of the country Jawaharlal Nehru. While answering to a question about his recommendation for renaming the prestigious university after freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, Swamy said that Netaji was far more educated than Nehru.

"I have recommended the renaming of JNU after Subhas Chandra Bose. Bose was far more educated than Jawaharlal Nehru."

Swamy drew severe criticism from Congress for his remarks against Nehru and his recommendation to rename JNU.

"At one point of time Subramanian Swamy was a bright leader, now he is just a political joker," said Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit.

There were media reports that the HRD Ministry has offered the post of JNU V-C to Swamy, but he has put some conditions before accepting the coveted post. However, there was no official communication from the Ministry.

The current V-C SK Sopory is set to retire in January next year. As per the rules, a panel of names selected by the committee is sent to the President (who is Visitor of the central varsities) by the HRD Ministry before the announcement of the new V-C.