BJP in Rajasthan hit back at the Congress claiming that the party has only indulged in politics in the name of Mahatma Gandhi and it is the BJP which has made Gandhi's dream a reality. (Image for representation: PTI)

Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in Rajasthan are trying to appropriate the legacy of the Mahatma Gandhi in the state ahead of Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

A war of words has broken out in the desert state of Rajasthan over who Mahatma Gandhi actually belonged to.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has taunted the BJP saying that it would be good if the party follows Mahatma Gandhi's footsteps as well, apart from just remembering him.

"Apart from remembering Mahatma Gandhi, it would be good if the BJP follows his footsteps as well. Mere lip service does not help. The BJP should try to live Gandhi and then go talking about him. That is why, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop spreading the falsehood that nothing has been done in 70 years," Ashok Gehlot said.

Responding to Ashok Gehlot, BJP state president Satish Poonia hit back claiming that the Congress has only indulged in politics in the name of Mahatma Gandhi and it is the BJP which has made Gandhi's dream a reality through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign.

"Congress has always indulged only in politics in the name of 'father of the nation', Mahatma Gandhi. The BJP, by running a nationwide Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign, has made the dream of Mahatma Gandhi a reality," Satish Poonia said.

The BJP said that the party has nonetheless given respect to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. "Also, it is the BJP that has done the job of giving respect to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a big role in the unity of the country, by making a big statue (Statue of Unity) of him," Satish Poonia said.

"The Congress has misused the names of great people like Gandhi ji, Sardar Patel and Ambedkar to mislead people, maintain their power and to ensure the progress of only one family," Satish Poonia.