PM Narendra Modi Says Rajiv Gandhi Died As Bhrashtachari No. 1; Congress Hits Back Saying Mr. Modi Has Crossed All Limits

New Delhi, May 5: The Congress on Sunday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on Rahul Gandhi's father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala took to Twitter on Sunday to express displeasure over PM Modi's statement where he referred to late Rajiv Gandhi as 'corrupt no. 1'. Attacking the Prime Minister for his 'Bhrashtachari' jibe, Surjewala said that late Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed his life for the country and said the abusive speech about a martyr shows the PM's shameful character and a hateful mindset.

The Congress spokesperson further added saying that it is PM Modi's business to defame the Congress since decades. He said the people of the nation will give Modi the punishment of this unpardonable and unforgivable words.

Here's the tweet:

The attack by the Congress leaders come a day after the Prime Minister, during his election rally in Uttar Pradesh, said that the life of Rajiv Gandhi ended as “corrupt no. 1”.  In response to Rahul’s allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal, Modi said, "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as ''Bhrashtachari No 1'' (corrupt number 1)".

Watch Video: PM Modi Calls Rajiv Gandhi Bhrashtachari No.1

Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram accused the PM pf crossing “all limits of propriety and decency”. “Mr Modi has crossed all limits of propriety and decency by defaming a man (Rajiv Gandhi) who died in 1991. (sic),” Chidambaram tweeted.

Here's the tweet:

Sam Pitroda, Indian Overseas Congress chief also expressed displeasure over PM's statement on Rajiv Gandhi and said the party was hurt by what PM said during his speech. "Normally PM of a country speaks for the people, it's a huge accountability. PM can't speak nonsense. But yesterday, the PM said to Rahul Gandhi 'aapke pita no.1 corrupt they marte waqt'", Pitroda said.

While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh on Saturday, PM Modi accused the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of harping on the acquisition of Rafale aircraft only to tarnish his image. In his address on Saturday, PM Modi also referred to the Bofors scam case that devastated the Congress government of Rajiv Gandhi in the 1980s and ruined the party's prospects of returning to power for years.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 05, 2019 11:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).