Narendra Modi’s remark on the late Rajiv Gandhi has triggered an avalanche of criticism from the Congress, with most senior leaders saying it was unthinkable for a Prime Minister to stoop that low.

The Prime Minister’s attack on Rajiv might also be politically unwise as it could create a sympathy factor for the Congress in Amethi and Rae Bareli that vote on Monday in the fifth leg of the Lok Sabha elections.

Delhi High Court has honourably acquitted the late Prime Minister in the Bofors case and the Modi government’s attempt to reopen the chapter didn’t receive a favourable response either from the Supreme Court, which refused to entertain its plea.

Modi had targeted the late Prime Minister while attacking Congress chief Rahul Gandhi at a public rally in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday. “Your father was termed ‘Mr Clean’ by his courtiers, but his life ended as ‘bhrashtachari No. 1’ (corrupt number 1),” Modi had said.

Many BJP leaders have defended the comment saying if a sitting Prime Minister could be called a “chor” (thief), why couldn’t a former Prime Minister be described as corrupt.

The Congress’s argument is that the Bofors issue had been investigated at various levels and Delhi High Court had restored Rajiv’s honour during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, which had decided not to appeal the verdict.