Jaipur, May 21 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Thursday strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling the comments “highly condemnable and objectionable” and demanding an immediate public apology.

In a strongly worded social media post, Raje said ideological differences and political opposition were natural in a democracy, but using “abusive and indecent language” against leaders holding the country’s top constitutional positions was against India’s political traditions and democratic values.

“Rahul Gandhi’s indecent remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are highly condemnable and objectionable,” she said.

The senior BJP leader stated that political leaders should maintain dignity and restraint in public discourse and said such language was inconsistent with India’s “civilised political culture”.

Raje also defended the PM Modi-led government’s record on national security and governance, referring to key decisions taken under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

“Using such language against those under whose leadership decisive action was taken to strengthen India’s unity and security raises serious questions,” she said.

Without naming specific measures, Raje appeared to refer to decisions such as the abrogation of Article 370, action against terrorism and other national security measures taken by the Centre.

She further said that the people of the country were “alert and aware” and could clearly distinguish between leaders working for national development and those making “cheap political statements”.

“The vigilant people of the country are watching and understand everything very well,” she said.

Concluding her statement, Raje demanded that Rahul Gandhi immediately apologise for his remarks.

Rahul Gandhi had triggered a fresh political controversy after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “traitors” during a public gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli district.

The Congress MP from Raebareli accused the ruling BJP and the RSS of allegedly working against the interests of the country and attacking the Constitution.

“When these RSS workers come before you, when they talk about Narendra Modi, when they talk about Amit Shah, tell them directly to their faces that your Prime Minister is a traitor, your Home Minister is a traitor, and your organisation is a traitor. BJP-RSS are traitors, because together you have worked to sell the country,” he added.

–IANS

arc/pgh