'Kamalchaap chowkidar' is 'chor' will be decided on May 23: Rahul Gandhi

In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday asserted that the "Janta ki Adalat (people's court) will decide on May 23 that "kamalchaap chowkidar (lotus imprinted watchman)" is a "chor (thief)".

The counting of votes for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will take place on May 23, which will decide the fate of all political parties in fray. Lotus is the election symbol of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"On May 23rd, it will be decided in the court of the public that kamalchaap chowkidar is the chor. Justice will prevail. The chowkidar who looted money from the poor people and benefited the rich friends will be punished," Rahul tweeted.

He also challenged Modi to a 15-minute debate on corruption, alleging wrongdoing in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France.

"I would like to challenge Narendra Modi to debate with me on corruption for 15 minutes. Dudh ka dudh, pani ka pani ho jayega. I am telling you, Narendra Modi Ji won't be able to show his face before the nation," Rahul said in Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency which is a traditional stronghold seat of the Gandhi family. The Congress president's mother Sonia Gandhi is contesting from the seat for the fifth time and has represented the constituency in Parliament since 1999 for four consecutive terms in the past.

His response came when the Congress chief was asked about his reply in the Supreme Court over his remark 'chowkidar chor hai' in connection with the apex court order on the admissibility of three documents in the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Earlier in the day, Rahul expressed regret before the Supreme Court over his remark 'Chowkidar Chor Hai'.

According to him, his statements were "used and misused" by the political opponents and that he "gave the statements in the heat of the political campaigning".

The Congress chief made the submission in his response to a contempt plea filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi regarding his statement over the Supreme Court's order in the Rafale deal.

The contempt petition accused Rahul of misquoting the top court's order by saying that the court accepted that 'chowkidar' (a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is a "chor".

On April 15, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had sought an explanation from Rahul on or before April 22 on the plea. It posted the matter for hearing on April 23.

The Congress president while speaking to the media in Amethi said, "The Supreme Court has made it clear that "chowkidar" allowed "theft and that it had accepted that some sort of corruption had taken place in the Rafale deal".