The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked its MP, Anantkumar Hegde, to issue an unconditional apology over his latest remark on Mahatma Gandhi that has stirred controversy, sources said.

According to sources, the BJP is upset over Anantkumar Hegde's remark on Mahatma Gandhi and has asked him for an apology.

Former Union minister and BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde on Saturday had attacked Mahatma Gandhi and called the freedom struggle led by him a "drama".

Hegde also questioned as to how "such people" come to be called 'Mahatma' in India.

While addressing a public event in Bengaluru on Saturday, the Lok Sabha MP from Uttara Kannada said the entire freedom movement was "staged with the consent and support of the British".

The Congress on Monday slammed the BJP leader, saying the father of the nation does not need a certificate from the "cadre of Britishers chamchas and spies.

"Mahatma Gandhi does not need a certificate from cadre of Britishers 'chamchas and spies'," Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said in a tweet

It is high time the BJP is renamed 'Nathuram Godse Party', he added.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condemned BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde for calling Mahatma Gandhi-led freedom movement a "drama", saying the BJP has no regard for the father of the nation.