Rahul Gandhi Takes Jibe At Narendra Modi's 'Scripted' Interview, Says Indira Gandhi's Emergency Decision Was Wrong; Watch Video of Congress President's News Nation Interview

Days after its viral interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, television news channel News Nation did an interview with Congress President Rahul Gandhi. In the interview, Gandhi, who was campaigning in Punjab for the last phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019, spoke on a host of issues including GST, corruption, demonetisation, Rafale Deal, Emergency and 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The interview also saw references to the Prime Minister's interaction with the news channel earlier last week. Narendra Modi's Statement About 'Effect of Clouds on Radar Signals from Aircraft During Balakot Strike' Deleted By BJP Twitter Handles After Backlash; Watch Video.

On a question to criticism of the Gandhi family for having imposed Emergency, Gandhi said that late former prime minister Indira Gandhi, herself, had admitted that it was wrong. He also said that he believed that imposing Emergency was a wrong decision. He also said whoever did wrong during the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage must be punished by the law.

Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister's interview with the same news channel was scripted to which the interviewers objected, saying it was only a few lines of poetry written on the sheet that Modi was seen holding in that interview.

Watch: Rahul Gandhi's Interview With News Nation

The Congress President also spoke about the Rafale Deal and questioned as to why the Narendra Modi government was scared of ordering an inquiry into the defence contract. He also, yet again, challenged the Prime Minister for a debate on corruption.

On a question about why he hugged the Prime Minister in Parliament, Gandhi said, "Modi was throwing a lot of anger and hatred on me, my party and my family, I returned him some love. I have nothing personal against Modi, it's his ideology that we want to fight and defeat.

The Congress party has been taking digs at PM Modi over his interview with the same news channel, during which he said that he suggested the Indian Air Forces (IAF) that clouds and rain can help fighter jets evade Pakistani radar during Balakot air strikes.

Watch: PM Narendra Modi's Interview With News Nation

"The weather was not good on the day of air strikes. There was a thought that crept in the minds of the experts that the day of (Balakot) strike should be changed. I had two issues in mind. One was secrecy... second, I said I am not someone who knows the science. I said there is so much cloud and rain. There is a benefit. I have raw wisdom, the clouds can benefit us too. We can escape the radar. Everyone was confused. Ultimately I said there are clouds...chal pade," PM Modi had said in the interview. The BJP Twitter handles had to delete all videos carrying this quote after backlash on social media.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2019 11:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).