Congress corners BJP over Raj Thackeray's 'Dawood to return to India' assertion

The Congress on Thursday cornered the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's assertion about underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, stating that the saffron party has spoiled its image.

In a shocking statement, Thackeray revealed that Dawood was negotiating with the ruling BJP at the Centre to return to his home country.

Speaking to ANI, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "The image of this government is spoiled. The BJP has created such atmosphere in India, where people are living in fear, terror and violence. India has become a country, where people are tortured and killed in the name of food and clothes."

Further taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharma said that he pleads for help from other countries.

"Rahul Gandhi has rightly talked about the ground reality of India and we abide by it. If someone has insulted India, it is none other than Prime Minister Modi, who keeps pleading for help from other countries. He is the first one, who needs to apologise. And people who insult Rahul Gandhi are insulting the democracy," he said.

Earlier in the day, Raj Thackeray shocked the country with his statement that Dawood Ibrahim is planning to return to India and to spend his last days in his home country and is negotiating with the union government.

Thackeray further stated, "But they (BJP) will portray it as an achievement and will take credit for this to win coming elections.