New Delhi, January 12: Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday called Congress President Rahul Gandhi "Gabbar Singh" and accused the party of standing with Pakistan, saying they were traitors.

Speaking at the second day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Council, Sarma said: "The GST is not 'Gabbar Singh', but Rahul Gandhi is."

He alleged that the Congress chief wants to loot the poor and want to snatch their rights.

Hitting out at the party, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said: "They are raking up the issue of Rafale fighter jets. Even the children of the country know that the Indian Air Force needs the Rafale. It is in the country's interest.

"But they stand with Pakistan. They know if Rafale comes to India then it (Pakistan) cannot defeat India in air warfare. Therefore they are saying that India does not need Rafale.

"They are traitors. They are (Mughal emperor) Babur," he said, with crowd chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai".

He said that to defeat such powers is the task of the BJP. Speaking about the National Registrar of Citizens (NRC), the Minister said: "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi started the NRC when people demanded identity along with development. That's why the BJP or its allies are ruling in the eight northeastern states."

He also lauded Modi for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and said that the Prime Minister took a decision that the indigenous Assamese should get protection.

"If this Clause 6 is implemented, then Assam will become a fort against illegal Bangladeshis," Sarma said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2019 01:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).