The Assam Congress on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark referring to slain former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as “bhrashtachari number 1” during electioneering in Uttar Pradesh.

Holding banners and placards and shouting slogans against Modi, the PCC organised a protest at Rajiv Bhawan on Monday against Modi’s remark on Saturday.

“Mere words are inadequate to condemn the distasteful comment by Modi against the former Prime Minister. Modi seems to have lost his equilibrium at the prospect of impending electoral defeat. It is extremely unfortunate that Modi has disregarded the Election Commission’s model code of conduct for political gain and not hesitated to lower the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office,” said Debabrata Saikia, the leader of the Opposition in Assembly.

“The very act of stating ‘his (Rajiv Gandhi’s) life ended as bhrashtachari number 1’ reveals that Modi is unacquainted with cultured behaviour and courtesy. Modi’s comment also reveals that apart from being rude, he is mendacious as well,” said Saikia.

“Delhi High Court had long ago dismissed as unfounded the allegations against Rajiv Gandhi in the Bofors case and, significantly, the then NDA government headed by the late Atal Behari Vajpayee had not challenged the verdict. It is the vindictive Modi government which tried to reopen the case in November, 2018 but failed to convince the Hon’ble Supreme Court. In view of these facts, I believe that the use of the term bhrashtachari by Modi is not only a white lie but is also tantamount to contempt of court,” Saikia said.

Many in Northeast remember Rajiv Gandhi for signing the 1985 Assam Accord to solve the foreigners problem of Assam and the 1986 Mizoram Accord to bring to an end an era of violent militant activities in Mizoram.

PCC secretary Ranjan Bora said, “We condemn the remark. The BJP is politicising the issue. Rajiv Gandhi had sacrificed his life for the country. He was a gentleman and was never involved in any corruption.”

Saikia said Modi needs to learn from the restrained and courteous reactions from Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to the “calumny heaped on their martyred father” by the incumbent Prime Minister. A person who does not know how to respect a martyred leader of our nation can never uphold the self-esteem and prestige of the country. Regardless of the motivated attack by Modi, the people of India will always remember Rajiv Gandhi with affection and respect,” he said.