BJP using Vajpayee's last remains for political gains, says Congress

The Congress on Thursday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that its leaders were ‘using’ Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s last remains for ‘petty political gains’ and has not drawn any lessons from the former prime minister and BJP stalwart. Congress spokesperson RPN Singh also heavily criticised the BJP leaders for using strong words to attack Sonia Gandhi and the opposition party.

"The kind of words that the BJP has used for former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, it is unfortunate for politics.

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"The entire country is paying tributes to Vajpayee and his ashes are yet to be immersed, but the BJP has not followed what Vajpayee had said," he told reporters.

"The kind of words (they are using) and the level that the BJP has fallen to, the BJP leaders have taken nothing from Vajpayee's speeches either in their words or thoughts," he said.

Later, the Congress took to Twitter and said,"The last rites are performed by family members for peace of the departed soul. PM Modi and the BJP have usurped the last remains of Former PM Vajpayee and are using it for petty political gains. BJP leaders discover new lows every day."

The party also posted a news report in which Karuna Shukla, Vajpayee’s niece, has attacked the BJP for allegedly giving Vajpayee’s demise a political turn.

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Earlier, Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil had stated that the BJP should not politicise Vajpayee’s legacy or on his ashes, as he was respected by all.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Thursday attacked Gandhi for comparing the employment figures with China and asked if the numbers were "manufactured in 10 Janpath". The Congress supremo’s mother, Sonia Gandhi, resides at 10 Janpath Road in New Delhi.

Patra also alleged that Sonia Gandhi, who was the president of the Congress for over 19 years, ruled the nation as a ‘proxy prime minister’ for 10 years.

"Wasn't this the Indian culture which helped her reach the top? Rahul and Sonia Gandhi should come out and explain as to how they can point fingers at this great Indian culture," the BJP spokesperson said while asking for an apology from the Congress party on Rahul Gandhi’s comments on the issue of women’s safety in India.

(With inputs from PTI)