Parrikar mocks Kejriwal's Emergency rant against PM Modi

Cuttack (Odisha): Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday took a jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of imposing Emergency, saying the AAP supremo would not have been able to publicly voice his criticism if such a scenario was existent at present.

Addressing a gathering at Sarala Bhawan as part of the BJP's 'Vikas Utsav', Parrikar said, "Kejriwal ji accuses the Prime Minister of imposing Emergency like situation. In that case, he wouldn't be able to criticise the Prime Minister publicly."

Parrikar also used the occasion to take potshots at the Congress and remembered the situation prevailing in the nation during the 1975 emergency.

"I find it surprising at times when people from the Congress talk about Hitler and freedom because they were the one to murder it in 1975," he said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the days of 1975 Emergency, calling it the "darkest hour" in India's history.

"Very often, Mann Ki Baat is criticised, but this is possible because we are a democracy," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the nation in the 21st edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme.

"Today we are proud of our democracy. But June 25, 1975, was a black night for Indian democracy when Emergency was declared, rights of citizens were killed, and the country was turned into a jail," he said.

The BJP has been criticising Congress on the Emergency. 49 central ministers are today campaigning against Emergency across the nation.