Rahul should apologise for 'all thieves have Modi in their surnames' remark: Irani

Amethi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Apr 16 (ANI): Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi whose 'all thieves have Modi in their surnames' remark sparked a controversy. She demanded an apology from Rahul to the backward communities for his comments.
"Modi title is from the backward community. Does insulting a community from a dais, suits the Congress? If Rahul Gandhi has some values, he should apologise to everyone in the country, particularly to the backward communities in Amethi," Irani told ANI.
In the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Irani is contesting against Rahul from Amethi constituency. Amethi will go to polls on May 6. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Earlier today, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi had said that he will file a defamation case against the Congress president for his remarks.
"I will file a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi in Patna High Court within two days," Modi had told reporters in Patna.
The BJP leader claimed that Rahul hurt the sentiments of crores of people with Modi surname. The Deputy Chief Minister had said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) has referred to crores of people with 'Modi' surname as 'chor' and hurt their sentiments."
He had asked whether it is a crime to have used the title. "Is it a crime to have 'Modi' surname?" he asked.
While addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Nanded, Rahul, on Monday, had asked how come all "thieves" have Modi as the common surname as he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of corruption.

"But tell me one thing...Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi...how come they all have Modi as a common name. How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?" Gandhi had said. (ANI)