The Congress on Wednesday remained unbending in its demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise for his allegation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh was "conspiring with Pakistan", or prove it in Parliament.
Or, the party suggested, in a sarcasm-laden note, that Modi could acknowledge that the remarks were "a political stunt and done to win the Gujarat elections" and that he is now withdrawing them.
Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters outside Parliament: "The Prime Minister had levelled serious allegations against very senior leaders, senior officers, Manmohan Singh and former Vice President Hamid Ansari and former army chief Deepak Kapoor.
"It is not an ordinary allegation. Manmohan Singh is a respected member of Rajya Sabha. If the PM is publicly saying that Manmohanji is conspiring with Pakistan. Then it is a serious allegation," said Azad.
The Congress leader said if it is true then the PM should prove the allegations.
"We have no personal fight with him. If PM finds it difficult to apologise, then he should have come to the Parliament and say 'BJP was losing in Gujarat and therefore it was a political stunt. It was a conspiracy to prove Congress anti-national'.
"He should come to Parliament and say that his work is done and he is withdrawing his comment. We will accept it. If it is true then they should punish us. We are ready for it. He should prove it," said Azad.
Azad added: "We respect the PM. We don't want to show disrespect to him. It is a not a personal fight. This is his responsibility that whatever he says in public, he should have the courage to come and say it in the Parliament."
The leader said he has informed the chair that this was absolutely wrong. "When a member is not there in the Parliament, and Manmohanji is a gentle person, it sets a wrong precedent. We dont wan't a privilege against PM. That's why are adopting a soft way."
Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said: "The Prime Minister had attempted to insult Manmohan Singh. We want that he should come to Parliament and apologise or give explanation what was the reason for making such an allegation."
"If he (Modi) has evidence then he should have registered an FIR and arrested him. He has also raised questions on Manmohan Singh's patriotism.
"We want that this should have been disclosed in Parliament and he should talk about it in Parliament. If he has evidence he should lay it in Parliament, as he (Modi) had promised to expose anti-national activities," said Kharge.
"PM holds a constitutional position. He can't insult institutions. We will not stop till he gives explanation," he added.
"During Zero Hour our MP Ranjeeta Ranjan was also not allowed to raise questions. She was asked to change the question."
--IANS
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