From Gujarat to Parliament: Opposition to take on Narendra Modi over allegations against Manmohan Singh

While all eyes are on the assembly election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the opposition has decided not to give up on the fight against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

In a meeting of all opposition parties, it has been decided that they will take on the government over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s allegation against former prime minister Manmohan Singh of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat Assembly elections.

During the campaign for Gujarat Assembly elections, PM Modi had alleged that Pakistan was interfering in the polls, seeking an explanation from the Congress party. He had cited a dinner, hosted by suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, where former officials of Pakistan government were in attendance. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh was also part of the dinner.

The Congress had hit back at PM Modi, with Manmohan Singh accusing the former of spreading "falsehood and canards" to score political points and sought an apology for his "ill-thought transgression".

Singh put out a video message to attack PM Modi over his remarks insinuating that the Congress leader colluded with Pakistan in the Gujarat polls.

"I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than Prime Minister Modi. Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, the desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable," he said.

He added that he sincerely hoped that PM Modi will show "maturity and gravitas", as expected of the high office he holds, instead of concentrating his energy solely on scoring "erroneously conceived brownie points".

"I sincerely hope that he will apologise to the nation for his ill-thought transgression to restore the dignity of the office he occupies," Singh said.

The foreign office of Pakistan had also refuted the allegations by PM Modi. Taking to Twitter, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Faisal targeted PM Modi saying he should “win victories on own strength rather than fabricated conspiracies”. He termed the allegations as “utterly baseless and irresponsible”.

He tweeted, “India should stop dragging Pakistan into its electoral debate and win victories on own strength rather than fabricated conspiracies, which are utterly baseless and irresponsible.”

The BJP was quick to respond with Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad saying that India needs no lesson from Pakistan on democracy.

Referring to the response of Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Mohammad Faisal, Prasad condemned the “unwarranted statement”, saying “Pakistan must stop giving us lessons”.

“Completely abhor outside interference in India's internal affairs. Pakistan's promotion of terrorism in India is well known but Pakistan must stop giving us lessons, we are proud of our democracy,” said Prasad.