New Delhi, Dec 15: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday demanded a formal apology from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi following alleged threats made by Congress workers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At a press briefing, Rijiju claimed that during Sunday’s Congress rally in Delhi, some party workers threatened to “dig the grave” of the Prime Minister, calling it “the most unfortunate and tragic” incident in India’s democratic history.
“Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi must apologize for their workers’ threat to Prime Minister Modi’s life. It is deeply regrettable that such statements were made openly by Congress workers,” Rijiju said.
He emphasised that political rivalry should remain ideological rather than personal. “Workers and leaders of Congress and BJP are political rivals, not enemies. While we may propagate different ideologies, we must work together for a developed India, as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi,” he added.
The controversy follows top Congress leaders’ Sunday rally, themed ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod’, in the national capital. The leaders alleged alleged election irregularities, accusing the BJP of undermining voters’ rights and branding its leaders as “gaddar” involved in a conspiracy to manipulate the democratic process.