Never seen a PM like Modi who only seeks to denigrate everyone: Congress on Manmohan jibe

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at his predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh sparking a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress Party on Wednesday launched a direct attack and said the former's address in the House resembled to that of a 'local chieftain' full of 'vitriol and hatred'.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal told ANI that the Prime Minister should respect the chair where he sits and should respect the sentiments of the house and the Opposition for what it stands for.

"We don't expect the Prime Minister to speak like a local chieftain addressing a local crowd. He is addressing the people of this country through Parliament..... You (PM) cannot denigrate individuals in this fashion. The arrogance that he displayed, the manner in which he has attacked Dr. Manmohan Singh, it is not right for us to sit and listen to a speech that is full of vitriol and full of hatred. And I don't think that the Prime Minister should reflect that," he said.

Further attacking the Prime Minister, Sibal said he had never seen a Prime Minister speaking the language Modi speaks, who 'seeks to denigrate everybody in the House'.

"First of all he chooses not to come to the House for four days. Then while the debate is going on in the Rajya Sabha, he doesn't step into the House. Then a new tradition has been set that when everybody finishes speaking, only then he will come in the House. Look at the arrogance of the PM that he chooses not to enter the House till everybody has finished. Then he makes unsubstantiated allegation and targets Dr. Manmohan Singh," he added.

Earlier, an outraged Congress staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha when Prime Minister trained guns on Dr. Manmohan Singh, accusing him of letting corruption run free under his nose but managing to steer clear of any charges.

"Dr. Manhmohan has played a significant role in the economic system of India. But during the most corrupt regime in the nation, there was not a single corruption charge against him. This art of taking bath wearing a raincoat must be learnt from Manmohan Singh," the Prime Minister said, setting off cries of outrage by the Congress.

Immediately the Congress MPs staged a walkout, to which the Prime Minister responded saying that if the Opposition breaches decorum, then they should also have the courage to listen to the response.

Outside the Parliament, Dr. Manmohan maintained his trademark calm and simply chose not to respond to questions over the Prime Minister's statement.