Rahul Gandhi's traitor remark less than what one hears on streets, says Congress

The Congress party defended Rahul Gandhi's "traitor" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it reflected widespread public sentiment of disappointment and betrayal.

The Congress on Wednesday defended Rahul Gandhi's ''traitor'' remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that what he said was less than what one hears on the streets about this government.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said that earlier prime ministers had a tradition of holding press conferences since the media was like a mirror that showed the truth, but Modi has not followed it.

Asked to comment on Gandhi's ''traitor'' remark against the prime minister, Khera said there was a deep sense of anxiety in the country, in every section of society.

''There is a deep sense of betrayal that people feel, especially those who voted for them. There is this sense of disappointment, sadness and anger. As a responsible opposition party, we have to necessarily articulate it,'' the Congress leader said, adding, ''What Mr Gandhi said is less than what we hear on the streets about this government.''.

On a Norway newspaper publishing a cartoon showing Prime Minister Modi as a snake charmer, Khera said he has not seen it.

''Having said that, in a democracy, we are used to a tradition. Our prime ministers, whether it was Atal Ji, Narasimha Rao Ji, Manmohan Singh Ji, Rajeev Ji, V P Singh, Deve Gowda Ji, I K Gujral Ji, Indira Ji, show me one among them who was afraid of holding press conferences, whether at home or abroad?'' Khera asked.

''That's why I said the media is a mirror that shows you the truth. If you are afraid of the mirror, then there is something missing in your truth,'' he said.

Addressing party workers on his visit to Raebareli on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the RSS as ''traitors'' who were ''attacking the Constitution'' every day and who have sold the country's interests to select industrialists.

The BJP criticised the strong allegations of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, stating that they were a reflection of his ''anarchic mindset and character''.

Addressing a 'Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha' in Raebareli to commemorate local revolutionary Veera Pasi, Gandhi appealed to the public, ''You will have to stand up and fight. When RSS workers come to your homes and talk about Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, you must tell them that their prime minister, their home minister and their organisation are traitors. They have sold our Hindustan and attacked our Constitution, Ambedkarji and Mahatma Gandhi.''.

Later, addressing an event in Amethi, Gandhi referred to his remarks made earlier in the day at Raebareli and said, ''I had said that Modi and Amit Shah are traitors. If someone weakens and destroys our Constitution, then what else should they be called, if not traitors?''.

Taking on the RSS, he said, ''They ask me to apologise. I will never apologise. I am not afraid of them.''