Gujarat polls: Manmohan Singh lambasts PM Modi, seeks his apology
The usually restrained Manmohan Singh condemned PM Narendra Modi for spreading "falsehoods" and "canards." Condemning him of setting a "dangerous precedent," Singh asked Modi to apologize. Singh was referring to Modi's earlier allegations that the former was colluding with Pakistan to steer the outcome of the Gujarat elections. What were Modi's allegations? How did Singh take Modi to task? Read on!
What were PM Modi's allegations?
During a rally at Palanpur, Modi suggested that Pakistan was trying the influence Gujarat elections. To support his claims, he cited a dinner hosted by Mani Shankar Aiyar. The dinner was attended by few Pakistan diplomats and leaders like Manmohan Singh and former VP Hamid Ansari, among others. Modi said after this dinner, Aiyar made the "neech" remark. He called it "a serious matter."
How did Manmohan Singh react to these allegations?
Following Modi's allegations, Singh said he was "deeply pained and anguished." He rejected the accusations as "innuendos and falsehoods." Singh specified that the dinner discussion was restricted to Indo-Pak ties and no mention was made of Gujarat polls. He said PM should demonstrate "maturity and gravitas of the office he holds." Singh said "imminent defeat in Gujarat" is making Modi "tarnish every constitutional office."
Modi and Singh exchanged barbs over dealing with Pakistan
Modi, however, continued stoking controversy. At a Vadodara rally, he criticized Singh of not showing courage to undertake a surgical strike against Pakistan after 26/11 Mumbai attacks, despite Army's readiness. Singh retaliated by reminding Modi of his unsolicited visit to Pakistan after the Udhampur-Gurdaspur attacks. He further questioned Modi's move of inviting Pakistan's ISI to the Pathankot airbase for investigating an alleged Pakistan-stemmed attack.
Other Congress leaders also reprimanded Modi for insulting Manmohan Singh
Other Congress leaders picked up cudgels for Singh. Congress spokesperson, Anand Sharma blamed Modi for dragging the political discourse to an "unacceptable low." He censured Modi for harming the "dignity of the post" and demanded an apology. P Chidambaram said if elections were so important so as to cast aspersions on former PM Singh and former VP Ansari.
Jaitley lashed out at Congress for expecting PM to apologize
Meanwhile, FM Arun Jaitley said "Former PM Manmohan Singh has issued a statement asking PM Modi to apologize for what he said in an election rally with regard to a meeting involving Pakistani delegations. It is surprising that Congress expects PM to apologize for it."
