The Congress, on 11 December, said Narendra Modi was “demeaning” the Prime Minister’s office for alleging that Mani Shankar Aiyar conspired with Pakistan to interfere in the Gujarat Assembly elections.
Modi had accused a group of Congress leaders of meeting Pakistan's High Commissioner at Aiyar's residence before the latter called him "neech". Modi said the meeting at Aiyar's residence was also attended by former Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
In a press conference, Congress leader Anand Sharma condemned Modi’s speech in Palanpur, Gujarat.
The accusations are outrageous. This is just an attempt to polarise ahead of second phase of voting (in Gujarat).This also shows his (Modi’s) desperation, and that the BJP’s loss is now guaranteed.Anand Sharma, Congress leader
‘Why Did Congress Meet Pakistan Officials’: Modi
Addressing an election rally on 10 December, Modi alleged: “There was a meeting convened at Aiyar's residence where Pakistan's High Commissioner, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ansari and Manmohan Singh were present. The meeting lasted three hours.”
"The next day Mani Shankar said I am a 'neech'," said the Prime Minister.
Why did they have to have a meeting with Pakistani officials. Pakistan is our enemy. You (Congress) meet them and the next day call me ‘neech’. Isn’t this a thing to worry about? Does it not raise doubts? There is something dubious here, isn’t it? You should have ensured the presence of government officials at the meeting. Why are you holding meetings with our enemy neighbour in secrecy?Narendra Modi
"Isn't calling me 'neech' insulting to Gujarat? Isn't it insulting to the country? Insulting to the government whom the people voted to power?" Modi asked.
Countering this, Anand Sharma asserted that the ex-Pakistan Foreign Minister was in India to attend a wedding.
There was a dinner organised for him in which there were former diplomats and the former Army chief, among other dignitaries. Does the PM think they were all conspiring with Pakistan? This is reprehensible. The PM must apologise.Anand Sharma, Congress leader
The Prime Minister added that a former Pakistan Army general, Arshad Rafiq, has announced that he favoured Congress MP Ahmed Patel as the Gujarat Chief Minister.
"Why? You are in Pakistan. Why are you interested in our country's affairs? Isn't this alarming? All this and the meeting at Aiyar's residence. What is all this? My friends, you should give me a promise that you will root out the Congress and give a thumping victory to the BJP at every booth in Ahmedabad," Modi said.
Don’t Drag Us Into Your Election: Pakistan
In what seemed to be a reaction to Modi’s allegations, Mohammad Faisal, the spokesperson for the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tweeted on 11 December that “India should stop dragging Pakistan into its electoral debate.”
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad lashed out at Faisal's tweet swiftly, as he remarked: “We completely abhor outside interference in India’s internal affairs. Pakistan’s promotion of terrorism in India is well-known, and the country must stop giving us lessons. We are proud of our democracy and condemn this unwarranted statement”.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
(This is a developing story)
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