New Delhi: The Congress chief and Member of Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge's statement "has even a dog of yours died for the country" angered the ruling BJP, who sought an apology from him in the Parliament.
Attending the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan's Alwar, Kharge was heard making the remark while describing the legacy of the Grand Old Party in the freedom struggle to win independence for the country.
Kharge's remark is said to have been made in response to the BJP's jibe terming Rahul's Jodo Yatra as "Bharat todo (Divide India)".
Kharge has reportedly said there is no one from BJP's part, even for a namesake who had fought for the country's independence but they claim themselves to be patriots and call the Congress party anti-nationals.
The BJP, enraged over Khrarge's statement, demanded an apology from him in the Parliament.
The BJP leader and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal condemned Kharge's comments, calling them offensive and lying and demanded an apology for his alleged offensive language. Goyal also said that Kharge has no right to be in the Parliament unless he apologises.
Reacting to Kharge's remark, the Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was not of the thought that the Congress president would stoop so low to use such objectionable remarks and reminded Kharge that they are not enemies but political rivals and he should act as leader of a political party.
Intervening in the situation which caused chaos in the Parliament, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said since the remark was made outside the Parliament, crying for Kharge's apology was not justifiable.
The Vice President went on to say the country's 135 crore people were watching when the House slipped into a hubbub situation.
Meanwhile, Kharge, who shouted at the apology demand, doubled down on his comments and explained the provocation.