NEW DELHI - The Congress today blasted PM Narendra Modi for his "highly irresponsible comments" about what was most definitely not a secret meeting between Pakistanis and Congress leaders but instead a social event attended by top dignitaries, diplomats and even the former Army chief.
Yesterday, without furnishing proof, Modi alleged the Congress is colluding with Pakistan and talked of a "three-hour secret meeting" attended by Pakistan's high commissioner, its former foreign minister, former PM Manmohan Singh, and former Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
The PM needs to apologize to Singh and Ansari for his "reprehensible" comments, said a Congress spokesman.
The Congress said there was nothing secret about the event attended by a host of past and present diplomats, political personages and journalists. It's "unwarranted and irresponsible" of the PM to give the event a sinister twist, said Congress spokesman Anand Sharma.
He said the manner in which the PM accused a former VP of India and a former PM, of doing something which was improper is"highly irresponsible, unwarranted and condemnable".
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lashed out at PM Narendra Modi for allegedly spreading "falsehood and canards" to "score political points in a lost cause."
"I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political poi.
"I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than PM Shri Narendra Modi. Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable," read a statement by the former PM.
Indian film actor and member of Lok Sabha Shatrughan Sinha, the BJP's in-house critic, has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation that "Pakistan is interfering in the Gujarat election" and Congress leaders held a meeting with Pakistani officials at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house.
In tweets, Shatrughan Sinha said: "Hon'ble Sir! Just to win elections anyhow, and that too at the fag end of the process, is it a must to come up with & endorse new, unsubstantiated & unbelievable stories everyday against political opponents?". Sir! Instead of new twists & turns, stories & cover ups, let's go straight to the promises that we made, regarding housing, development, employment of youth, health, "Vikas model". Lets stop communalising the atmosphere & go back to healthy politics & healthy elections.