Former PM Manmohan Singh has issued a strong statement rebutting PM Narendra Modi's accusation that Gujarat elections was discussed in a meeting held in Mani Shankar Aiyar's home where ex-Pak Foreign Minister was present.
Manmohan Singh in a statement has denied that Gujarat polls was discussed in their meeting. He said that he is 'deeply pained' by 'falsehood and canard' done for winning election. Manmohan Singh says that PM Modi is 'setting a dangerous precedent by his insatiable desire to tarnish every constitutional office'.
Continuing his attack, Manmohan Singh says that the Congress party doesn't need any lesson in nationalism from BJP. He reminded PM Modi the instance about landing in Pakistan uninvited and also questioned why ISI officials were allowed to enter Pathankot terror base.
Ex- PM said that his track record for last five decades in public life is for everyone to see and he categorically rejects 'innuendos and falsehoods'. Manmohan Singh in his statement also enclosed names of dignitaries present in the meeting and said none of them could be accused of anti-national activity.
The ex- PM signed off the statement hoping PM Modi will apologise to the nation for levelling false allegation and will try to show maturity and gravitas expected of the high office.
Here is the full statement:
Earlier, the Congress party came down heavily upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleging that Pakistan was meddling in the Gujarat assembly polls and supporting Congress leader Ahmed Patel to have him elevated as the chief minister of the state.
Dubbing Prime Minister Modi's statement as 'irresponsible' and 'outrageous', Congress leader Anand Sharma demanded an apology from him. "Ex-Pakistan Foreign Minister was here to attend a wedding. There was a dinner organised for him in which there were former diplomats, former army chief among other dignitaries. Does the prime minister think they were all conspiring with Pakistan? This is reprehensible. It's expected of the prime minister to use a language which is equivalent to his post. He should retract his statement and should apologise to maintain the decorum of his post,"Sharma said.
He further said that Prime Minister Modi's remarks show that the BJP has realised it was going to lose the Gujarat elections.
"The Prime Minister has said Congress is conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat elections. Its outrageous. This is just an attempt to polarise ahead of second phase of voting in Gujarat polls.This also shows their desperation and that BJP's loss is now certain," he added.
Yesterday, while addressing a rally in Gujarat's Banaskantha, Prime Minister Modi alleged that former Pakistan Army director general Arshad Rafique was helping Patel to become the Gujarat chief minister. "Former Pakistan Army director general Arshad Rafique was backing and willing to help make Ahmed Patel the chief minister," he said. The prime minister had also questioned suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former vice-president Hamid Ansari's meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal has asked India to stop dragging Pakistan into its electoral debate.
With agency inputs
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