Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi should make “Sorry” his middle name after he expressed regret over alleged defamatory remarks against Kartikeya Singh, son of Union minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan.Also Read | ‘Mistake’: Rahul tenders apology for 2018 remark linking Shivraj, son to ‘Panama Papers’Ahead of the 2018 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, Gandhi, then the Congress president, had linked Kartikeya Singh to the Panama Papers leak scandal during a public speech. The remarks prompted Kartikeya Singh to file a defamation case against the Congress leader in a Bhopal MP-MLA court.On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer informed the Madhya Pradesh high court that the statement was not related to Kartikeya Singh.Reacting to this, BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya wrote on X: “Rahul Gandhi should perhaps make ‘Sorry’ his middle name. One has lost count of the number of times he has had to apologise, express regret, or retract his defamatory and irresponsible statements. The latest instance comes in the defamation case filed by Kartikeya Singh, son of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Rahul Gandhi has now approached the Madhya Pradesh high court expressing regret, stating that the remarks in question were not even related to Kartikeya Singh.”Malviya also questioned why the Lok Sabha leader of the opposition made the statement if it was not about Kartikeya Singh.”Time and again, Rahul Gandhi makes sensational allegations, grabs headlines, and when challenged in court or confronted with facts, retreats behind apologies and expressions of regret. A Leader of Opposition is expected to exercise responsibility, not indulge in reckless accusations and then disown them later. For Rahul Gandhi, defamation seems to have become a habit and apologies a recurring ritual. The country deserves better than a leader who speaks first and thinks later,” he added.Rahul Gandhi has previously stated that he is not “not Savarkar to apologise” — a reference to right-wing ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, whom the Congress has accused of seeking clemency from the British during the freedom struggle.In 2019, Gandhi tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court over remarks linked to its observations in the Rafale fighter jet case.At the time, Gandhi had repeatedly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal and popularised the slogan “chowkidar chor hai” (the watchman is a thief) during the Lok Sabha election campaign.The BJP subsequently moved a contempt petition against him, alleging that he had incorrectly attributed remarks to the apex court.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Seeks Relief In Defamation Case, Says Statement Was Not About Kartikey SinghMumbai Local Train Murder: GRP Arrests Accused After Passenger Stabbed To Death During Door DisputeNEET Centre Claims Candidate Arrived 14 Minutes Late, Submits CCTV Footage to Back DecisionEmergency Added to NCERT Class 9 Curriculum, Described as a Major Democratic ChallengeKerala Government Faces Massive Backlash Over Proposed Tax Cut On Low-Alcohol Beverages30 India-Bound Vessels Cross Strait Of Hormuz As 26 More Await Safe PassageAir India Flight AI479 Briefly Crosses Into Pakistan Airspace, DGCA Orders InvestigationTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire Probe123PhotostoriesReal Madrid star Vinícius Júnior’s ₹64 crore-worth mansion is packed with a private cinema, two swimming pools and a football trophy cabinetFrom ‘Wonder Woman’ to ‘The Marvels’: 7 female superhero movies to watch before ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’From pride hues to polka power: Priyanka Chopra didn’t follow trends at Cannes Lions 2026, she wore all of themFrom safety to rights: 7 things every Indian woman living in a rented place needs to knowVisiting Nepal? 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NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi should make “Sorry” his middle name after he expressed regret over alleged defamatory remarks against Kartikeya Singh, son of Union minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan.Also Read | ‘Mistake’: Rahul tenders apology for 2018 remark linking Shivraj, son to ‘Panama Papers’Ahead of the 2018 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, Gandhi, then the Congress president, had linked Kartikeya Singh to the Panama Papers leak scandal during a public speech. The remarks prompted Kartikeya Singh to file a defamation case against the Congress leader in a Bhopal MP-MLA court.On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer informed the Madhya Pradesh high court that the statement was not related to Kartikeya Singh.Reacting to this, BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya wrote on X: “Rahul Gandhi should perhaps make ‘Sorry’ his middle name. One has lost count of the number of times he has had to apologise, express regret, or retract his defamatory and irresponsible statements. The latest instance comes in the defamation case filed by Kartikeya Singh, son of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Rahul Gandhi has now approached the Madhya Pradesh high court expressing regret, stating that the remarks in question were not even related to Kartikeya Singh.”Malviya also questioned why the Lok Sabha leader of the opposition made the statement if it was not about Kartikeya Singh.“Time and again, Rahul Gandhi makes sensational allegations, grabs headlines, and when challenged in court or confronted with facts, retreats behind apologies and expressions of regret. A Leader of Opposition is expected to exercise responsibility, not indulge in reckless accusations and then disown them later. For Rahul Gandhi, defamation seems to have become a habit and apologies a recurring ritual. The country deserves better than a leader who speaks first and thinks later,” he added.Rahul Gandhi has previously stated that he is not “not Savarkar to apologise” — a reference to right-wing ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, whom the Congress has accused of seeking clemency from the British during the freedom struggle.In 2019, Gandhi tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court over remarks linked to its observations in the Rafale fighter jet case.At the time, Gandhi had repeatedly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal and popularised the slogan “chowkidar chor hai” (the watchman is a thief) during the Lok Sabha election campaign.The BJP subsequently moved a contempt petition against him, alleging that he had incorrectly attributed remarks to the apex court.
