New Delhi: Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, has upped his attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, referring to him as a "modern-day Jinnah."
Sarma had previously chastised Gandhi for requesting documentation of surgical strikes performed by India on Pakistani territory.
"Have we ever asked you if you are indeed Rajiv Gandhi's son or not?" he said during a BJP election rally in Uttarakhand.
Now, in defending his remark on the Congress leader, the Assam Chief Minister has compared Gandhi to Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Sarma compared Rahul Gandhi's tone and rhetoric to that of Jinnah before 1947. "In some ways, Rahul Gandhi is the modern-day Jinnah," he said.
The Assam Congress, the state's major opposition party, criticised Sarma, claiming he had soiled the state's reputation with his crass statement.
Workers from the Congress party organised a protest march in Guwahati and burned Sarma's effigy.
"Our army jawans plan for a month before they go for any action in the enemy territory. These are strategic actions and after a press release is issued after the operation. We get to know about it then. Now, if someone keeps asking for proof of the action, think about the pain the army jawan feel," he was quoted by NDTV in its report.
Sarma stated that he attempted to demonstrate to Congress yesterday that it is 'Karma.'
"I think everyone has seen it. I can figure out by the numerous attacks they are doing, even if on Twitter. My mission is accomplished. They will now not ask for proof from the Army,' he added.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi's previous comments, including a scathing assault on the BJP in parliament, Sarma claimed that "the ghost of Jinnah has invaded his body."