New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) — Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday sought an apology from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over an alleged threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by Congress workers at a rally in the national capital.
Addressing a hastily convened press conference, Rijiju alleged that slogans raised at Sunday’s Congress rally suggested digging the Prime Minister’s grave, calling it the “most unfortunate and tragic” incident in Indian democratic discourse.
“Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should tender an apology for the Congress workers’ threat to the life of the Prime Minister. They should apologise on the floor of both Houses of Parliament,” Rijiju said.
The parliamentary affairs minister stressed that while the Congress and BJP are political rivals, they are not enemies. “We propagate different ideologies but work together for a developed India. Political criticism is acceptable, but threats are not,” he said.
Rijiju said political leaders routinely criticise each other but never speak of killing rivals. “What kind of mentality is this, where people openly threaten the life of a political opponent?” he asked.
Calling Modi the prime minister of 140 crore Indians and the leader of the world’s largest democracy, Rijiju said such remarks cannot be brushed aside with mere condemnation. “If there is any humanity left in the Congress and if they respect the people of this country, they should immediately apologise in both Houses of Parliament,” he said.
The remarks came a day after senior Congress leaders targeted the BJP and the Election Commission at a ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod’ rally in Delhi, alleging election irregularities and accusing the ruling party of attempting to undermine democratic rights.
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