Congress hits back at Modi's Emergency jibe

Stung by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Emergency jibe in his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, the Congress hit back almost instantly, saying PM Modi should remember the country is facing an "undeclared Emergency" under the BJP rule.

The party, however, acknowledged that the Emergency, imposed on June 25 in 1975, "was a mistake" and "lessons have been learned."

"He (Modi) talks about remembering the Emergency. Yes, we remember the Emergency. But he should remember that the country is facing an undeclared Emergency,"said Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.

He warned that history may repeat itself if PM Modi failed to learn from the past.

"It is not the Union Cabinet, but the Prime Minister's Office that takes all decisions," said Vadakkan.

"No meeting of the Cabinet Committee on security took place. No explanation has been given on the amount of money collected after demonetisation," he added.

The Congress leader also expressed concern "over a spurt in the number of lynching incidents and harassment by anti-Romeo squads (in Uttar Pradesh)".

In his monthly radio broadcast, 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi remembered the Emergency as the "dark period" that cannot be forgotten.

He recalled that democracy-lovers had fought a big battle against the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and said the "pro-democracy heritage" needs to be strengthened.