NEW DELHI:
Congress leaders led by former PM
Manmohan Singh wrote to President
Ram Nath Kovind complaining against Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's "menacing language" against the party's leadership.
Citing comments made by Modi at a recent election rally in Hubli wherein he said that Congress leaders would suffer consequences if they crossed the line, the letter to the president sought the Prime Minister be cautioned against using language that does not behoove the office he occupies.
"The threat held out by the Prime Minister to the INC's leadership deserves to be condemned. This cannot be the language of the Prime Minister of a constitutionally governed democratic country of 1.4 billion people. Such discourse whether in public or private is unacceptable conduct. The words used are menacing and intimidating with intent to insult and provoke breach of the peace," the letter states.
Congress alleged that PM Modi's use of objectionable language in the midst of an election campaign is tantamount to using his powers and privileges to settle personal and political scores.
"Honourable President may caution the Prime Minister from using such unwarranted, threatening and intimidating language against leaders of the Congress party or any other party or person as it does not behove the position of the Prime Minister (sic)," it said.
The letter was signed by senior Congress leaders Manmohan Singh, Mallikarjun Kharge, P Chidambaram, Digvijaya Singh, Ahmed Patel and Ambika Soni, among others.
The complaint was concerning the following remarks made by PM Modi while he was spearheading the
BJP's high-decibel poll campaign in
Karnataka, where voting took place on May 12.
"The party whose heads are out on bail are asking me questions? Congress leaders should listen with utmost attention. If you cross the line, then this is Modi, you will have to pay for it," he had said.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala took to Twitter and said: "PM Modi’s unbecoming conduct and threatening language deserves severe condemnation. No PM has stooped so low and brought the office of Prime Minister into disrepute as Modi ji has continuously done."
