'Ulta chor kotwal ko daante,' says Kharge after BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over London remarks

His remarks came as BJP upped the ante and sought to corner Congress in Parliament by seeking Rahul's apology for his remarks about the state of democracy in India

Defending Rahul Gandhi, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running the country like a "dictator" and those who are "crushing" democracy are talking of saving it.

Kharge's remarks came as BJP upped the ante and sought to corner the Congress in Parliament by seeking Rahul's apology for his remarks about the state of democracy in India. He led a march of Opposition MPs from Parliament to Vijay Chowk where a number of Opposition leaders addressed the media.

As both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced vociferous protest and counter protest, Kharge, who was flanked by leaders from parties like AAP, BRS, CPI(M), RJD, CPI and RSP among others, said the ruling BJP was "suppressing" the Opposition by "misusing" the central agencies and the latest controversy is an attempt to divert attention from the Adani Group issue.

"They (BJP) are crushing and destroying democracy and are talking of saving democracy and the country's pride. There is no place for the Constitution in Modi-ji's regime...They are 'suppressing' opposition through 'misuse' of agencies. These people are talking about democracy, nationalism and the country's pride. This is like 'ulta chor kotwal ko daante' (pot calling the kettle black)," he told reporters.

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With the BJP accusing Rahul of defaming India through his remarks that Indian democracy is under "brutal attack" and that the Opposition does not get a chance to speak in Parliament, Kharge sought to turn the tables by quoting Modi's speeches in China, South Korea, Canada and the UAE while asking his opponents to "first see the mirror of truth before lecturing the Congress".

Recalling Modi's remarks in China's Shanghai, Kharge said, "I want to remind you of your statement made in China. You said - 'earlier, you felt ashamed of being born Indian. Now you feel proud to represent the country. Indians abroad had all hoped for a change in government last year'. Was this not an insult to India and Indians? Tell your Ministers to refresh their memories.

Referring to the remarks made in South Korea, he said Modi had said that "earlier there was a time when people ask what sin they committed in their past life to have been born in India. A businessman wanted to leave the country for better opportunities abroad. But these people are now saying they will come back even if the income there is higher".

In Canada, Kharge said Modi spoke about cleaning the dirt created earlier while in UAE, he claimed that the earlier governments did not work properly. "Aren't these insulting to the country?" he asked.

Kharge emphasised that the Opposition is adamant on a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani issue. "The government is trying to divert attention from this. We are together and will continue to demand JPC on the Adani issue," he said.