On May 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh, launched a scathing attack at the Congress President Rahul Gandhi by labelling PM Rajiv Gandhi as “corrupt number 1”.

PM Modi referring to Rahul Gandhi, said, “Your father was termed ‘Mr Clean’ by his courtiers, but his life ended as “Bhrastachar No1”. Modi was alluding to the Bofors Scam, which alleged that the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had received kickbacks. Bofors Scam has always been a stubborn stain that has tarnished the reputation of the country’s oldest party. Mr Modi also accused Rahul Gandhi of mentioning Rafale Deal as corruption to only besmirch his reputation. Pointing fingers at the opposition parties, he said that their main intention was to tarnish his image and form a weak government. Deliberately aiming again at Rahul Gandhi, he said that naamdar (dynast) should know that he (PM Modi) was not born with a golden spoon, nor he was born in any royal family.

Soon after Modi’s comment, leaders across various parties criticised PM and said this is a new low he has stooped to. While the majority of the opposition leaders, condemned Modi’s scathing criticism, BJP leaders claimed no wrongdoing by Modi and supported him.

Rahul’s with love reply

Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi again showed the country that he has come of age over the years. In a very polite way responding to Modi’s comment through a Tweet he said that his karma awaits him. He said, “Modi Ji, the battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won’t protect you. All my love and a huge hug”.

Modi Ji,

The battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won’t protect you.

All my love and a huge hug.

Rahul

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 5, 2019

Priyanka’s reply

Daughter of former PM and Congress’ UP (East) general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, just 15 minutes after his brother’s Tweet, lashed out at Modi. She said that the Prime Minister who begs votes in the name of martyrs, in his uncontrolled madness has insulted Rajiv Gandhi, a virtuous man and his martyrdom. She further said, “People of Amethi for whom Rajiv Gandhi gave up his life, will give a befitting reply to Modji”. She also said that the citizens of this country do not forget deceitful people.

शहीदों के नाम पर वोट माँगकर उनकी शहादत को अपमानित करने वाले प्रधानमंत्री ने कल अपनी बेलगाम सनक में एक नेक और पाक इंसान की शहादत का निरादर किया। जवाब अमेठी की जनता देगी जिनके लिए राजीव गांधी ने अपनी जान दी। हाँ मोदीजी ‘यह देश धोकेबाज़ी को कभी माफ नहीं करता’।

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 5, 2019

Other Congress members reply

Former finance minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram said that the Prime Minister had crossed the line of propriety and decency by defaming former PM. He further asked whether Modi takes cognisance of Delhi High Court’s order which exonerated former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda said that the Modi’s comment hurt the party’s sentiments.

I am a Gujarati from mahatma Gandhi s and Sardar Patel’s soil. I can not believe that our PM Modi is also from the same soil. What is wrong with him? How can he go so low? Is he rattled?

— Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) May 5, 2019

Member of Rajya Sabha and Congress leader, Anand Sharma took to Twitter to express his discontent. He said, “ PM Modi’s derogatory and outrageous statement on India’s Martyred Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi deserves the strongest condemnation. He further said Modi would be remembered for dragging political discourse to gutter level.

Opposition condemns

West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee said that the comments made by ‘Expiry PM’ referring to Modi against Rajiv Gandhi is unfortunate. Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav said that one must not drag martyred in a political disagreement.

Whatever political disagreements people may have, those who are martyred deserve our respect and their families deserves our empathy. Election or not, this is basic humanity.

The statement by the PM indicates levels to which people can stoop for the sake of clinging on to power.

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 5, 2019

BJP sharpens its attack

HRD Minister, Prakash Javadekar came out in support of PM Modi. He said that whatever Modi said was true. He rhetorically questioned whether there was Rajiv Gandhi’s involvement in Bhopal Gas Tragedy and 1984 riots.

Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley asked why does comment on Rajiv Gandhi roils Rahul Gandhi. He also said that Rahul Gandhi who is a Naamdar believes that they are not accountable to answer any question, but can openly criticise Modi, who is a man of utmost integrity.

The Dynast can attack the integrity of India’s Prime Minister – a man of utmost honesty. Does he believe that the dynasty does not have to answer any questions?

— Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley)…