The comments made at an election rally in Gujarat by PM Modi on Sunday provoked outrage from the Congress, which rubbished the charge.
But the sharpest rejoinder came from Manmohan Singh, who said the Prime Minister should apologise to the nation for "falsehoods and canards". He also said Mr Modi should show the "maturity and gravitas expected of his office" and alleged that he was setting a "dangerous precedent by his insatiable desire to tarnish every constitutional office".
After an acrid campaign for the Gujarat election, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen at the same event greeting BJP leaders.
