Azad hits back at BJP, says criticising govt 'doesn't amount to defamation'

Taking exception to the BJP's warning of a criminal defamation case against party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday said criticizing the government isn't tantamount to defamation.

"Criticizing the functioning of the government is not defamation. And if this is defamation, then if you see the record of the past 10 years, then the kind of words the BJP has used, every MP of the BJP can be slapped with a hundred cases," said Azad.

He further criticised the BJP leaders for sitting on a dharna in the Parliament today.

"It is the opposition that has the right to oppose, sit on a dharna and to demand action from the government. But today the ruling party sat on a dharna," said Azad.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier warned of a criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi if the he continued to insult External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.