Bengaluru, May 8: While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dared the Congress to contest the remaining two phases of Lok Sabha elections in Rajiv Gandhi's name, a leader of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday said the comments against the former prime minister were "unnecessary". Srinivasa Prasad, who served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, said he has a lot of respect for Rajiv Gandhi.

"LTTE planned and assassinated Rajiv Gandhi. He did not die due to corruption allegations. Nobody believes that, even I don't believe it. I have a lot of respect for Modi Ji, but it was not necessary for him to speak against Rajiv Gandhi," Srinivasa Prasad was quoted by news agency ANI as saying. Prasad had joined the Congress and was a state minister. He rejoined the BJP in 2017. Narendra Modi Gets Third Clean Chit by EC, No Violation of Model Code of Conduct in PM's Barmer Speech, Says Poll Panel.

"Rajiv Gandhi took bigger responsibilities at a young age. Tallest personalities in politics like Vajpayee Ji have spoken many good things about Rajiv Gandhi," the BJP leader from Karnataka added. Taking a jibe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi at a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh last  Saturday referred to Rajiv Gandhi, calling him "Brahmachari No.1" (Corrupt No.1).

PM Narendra Modi reiterates "Bhrashtachari No. 1" jibe, watch video:

"Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Brahmachari' (corrupt) No. 1," PM Modi said, drawing sharp reactions from several prominent opposition leaders across the country who criticized his statements on Rajiv Gandhi. The Congress moved the Election Commission demanding that PM Modi be barred from election campaigning.

Despite the opposition's fierce response, PM Modi amplified his argument, challenging the Congress to "fight polls in the name of the Bofors-accused former PM". The Election Commission on Tuesday gave a clean chit to PM Modi, saying his remarks didn't violate the model code of conduct.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2019 11:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).