Jairam denies saying Rahul should apologise

When the journalists said Rahul’s remarks had hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community,he said the Congress vice-president’s intention was not to hurt or malign any community.

On Sunday,Ramesh claimed the media “twisted” his comments. “I never said he (Rahul Gandhi) should apologise. You (the media) twisted it,” he said during a press interaction in Raipur.

Meanwhile,the Congress distanced itself from Ramesh’s comments. Spokesperson Meem Afzal said Rahul had already clarified his statement to the Election Commission (EC) and the party had also spoken on the issue. The EC had reprimanded Rahul for the comments,taking exception to his “tone,tenor and content”.

“I do not know what Jairam Ramesh has said. But whatever he might have said may be his personal view. This is not the view of the party,” Afzal said.