From Congress members like Mallikarjun Kharge and Kapil Sibal to outspoken AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, a united Opposition fired verbal shots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "raincoat" jibe against his predecessor Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha.
They demanded an unconditional apology for Modi’s use of "abusive" and "insulting" language.
Earlier on Wednesday, Modi said only Singh knew the art of bathing while wearing a raincoat, prompting the Congress members, including Singh, to walk out.
Owaisi Reminds Modi of Gulbarg Society Massacre
Cornering the PM over his remark, Owaisi took to Twitter to question his role in the Gulbarg Society massacre when “Ehsan Jafri and others where butchered”.
PM’s Remark in Poor Taste: Chidambaram
Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the remarks were in "extremely poor taste and unbecoming of a Prime Minister". He also defended the Congress’ decision to stage a walkout.
We walked out in protest. Such harsh and ugly comments are not acceptable. No PM in the past has made such comments about a former PM. The kind of words that he has used are unacceptable.P Chidambaram
We Cannot Stoop to That Level: Renuka Chowdhary
Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary was also scathing in her criticism.
"This is what the country is coming to that you have the Prime Minister coming to Parliament and not even giving respect to a former Prime Minister," she said.
"He can say what he wants to, we cannot stoop to that level. And that is why we walked out (of the Rajya Sabha). Our self-respect is intact, let the Prime Minister prove his," she added.
Modi’s Comments Unsubstantiated: Kapil Sibal
Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the opposition party will not allow Modi to speak in Parliament unless he apologises.
Modi chooses to speak when everyone else is done with and then makes unsubstantiated allegations. We cannot tolerate this. We will not let him speak until he apologises for his remarks.
The senior Congress leader also likened the PM’s remarks to a "chieftain addressing a local crowd".
Robert Vadra, Rahul Gandhi Slam Modi in Their Tweets
Terming Modi's 'raincoat jibe' extremely disrespectful, Robert Vadra said the former premier is "an epitome of grace and maturity".
Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to slam the PM for his remark.
(With agency inputs.)
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