Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s alleged remarks on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have triggered a political slugfest with opposition demanding his resignation.

Sarma had hit out at Gandhi for demanding proof of the surgical strike launched by the Indian Army in September 2016 against terrorist camps in PoK, and questioning the efficacy of the anti-COVID-19 vaccines.

Addressing a rally in poll-bound Uttarakhand, the Assam CM had asked if the BJP had ever demanded proof of him being the “son of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi”.

Sarma’s comments led to a widespread protest across Assam with members of the Congress’ youth wing burning his effigy at several places.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh criticised Assam CM’s “atrocious remark” against Gandhi and said such a “personal remark is unacceptable.”

“We didn’t expect this kind of an atrocious remark from you Himanta. Political differences would be there but such a personal remark is unacceptable,” he tweeted.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary slammed the Assam CM and said BJP leaders should wash their mouths with datun (twig).

“The Chief Minister of Assam has used derogatory language. From time to time, BJP leaders should wash their mouths with Datun!” he tweeted in Hindi.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack Sarma.

“Modiji! Is this our Indian culture? Is this what has been taught in Vedas, Mahabharat, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita? I am asking BJP National President Naddaji. Is it our culture?” he asked, referring to Sarma’s comments.

Demanding the dismissal of the Assam CM, Rao said,”… Can a Chief Minister talk like this? There are limits. Are you egoistic? Doing tamasha? You think people will remain silent?”