Lucknow, May 20 (PTI) BJP leaders have strongly reacted to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, claiming mental bankruptcy on the part of the leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha for using the words that he did.

Congress party leaders, however, backed Gandhi, claiming that the BJP was trying to divert attention from core issues of governance like inflation, employment and farmers unrest.

During a programme in his Lok Sabha constituency Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, Gandhi termed Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the RSS "traitors" who are "attacking the Constitution" every day and have "sold the country's interests" to select industrialists.

"To use such language against the prime minister and home minister smacks of not just political immaturity but mental bankruptcy too. I think the Congress leadership today is exposed, rattled and very desperate.

"This is reflecting in their language too, and if they have any sense left in them, they should immediately tender an unconditional apology," UP BJP leader Neeraj Singh, son of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, told PTI.

"The statement by Rahul Gandhi and his coterie is so crass that I won't be surprised if the court takes suo motu cognisance of such reckless statements," he added.

The Congress, meanwhile, defended Gandhi.

"Isn't it true that the country's interests have been hit, that the nation has suffered immensely over the last few years since Modi's BJP has been in power at the Centre?" asked UP Congress chief Ajay Rai, accusing the BJP of attempting to sidetrack attention from key issues.

"Their game plan is to divert attention from issues like rising unemployment, farmer unrest and a sharp rise in prices of essential commodities," he added.

BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi countered Gandhi's statement, saying, "His words and body language indicate what poor condition the Congress party is in. He is a habitual offender with multiple court cases against him.

"The country will never tolerate that its leader of opposition uses such language. Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress will have to face its repercussions." PTI MAN KIS KSS KSS

Political remarks and apology demand follow Congress MP's comments against top leaders, with talk of possible suo motu cognisance. Political remarks made by a Congress MP against the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the RSS drew strong criticism from BJP leaders, who described the language as politically immature and reflective of mental bankruptcy. The BJP demanded an unconditional apology and expressed concern over the use of such statements, while one leader suggested that the remarks could invite suo motu cognisance.