Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday tendered unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for linking its April 10 order with his remark. Gandhi had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of theft in the Rafale deal and based his 'chowkidar chor hai' remark on Supreme Court verdict.

The apology was offered in a fresh affidavit - the third by Congress president - filed by Gandhi's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the court. In the affidavit, the Congress president said he holds Supreme Court in "highest esteem" and sought closure of contempt proceedings against him.

During the last hearing on April 30, the court had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/made-error-will-apologise-for-chowkidar-chor-hai-comment-rahul-gandhi-to-supreme-court-214727">lashed out at Gandhi</a> for the affidavit over his alleged contemptuous remark that the Congress president filed in connection with the court's April 10 verdict on Rafale case.

"You took 22 pages in the affidavit to express regret? We refrained from saying anything further in the last hearing but this is your second affidavit. You attributed the comment to us and now you are trying to justify?" the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said.

The bench asked Gandhi to file another affidavit.

After the court rap, Gandhi's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the bench, "There's nothing wrong in the affidavit but allow me to rectify. I will apologise. I made error. For 18 months I have been trying to say that the PM and other party workers are complicit, hence the comment (chowkidar chor hai)."

Gandhi filed a second affidavit in the court last week reiterating his stand and again expressing regret on his remarks on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-issues-contempt-notice-to-rahul-gandhi-for-attributing-chowkidar-chor-hai-remark-to-its-order-212836">Rafale verdict</a>. Gandhi said that unfortunate references to the court order and juxtaposition of the political slogan in the same breath ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue.

"It is unfortunate that this slogan got intermingled with my comments on and references to the apex court's order. My statement was made in the heat of political campaigning," he said in his affidavit.

The Congress president had claimed that the apex court has made it "clear" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "committed a theft". He had made the statement while interacting with reporters in Amethi after filing his nomination papers.

The court is hearing a criminal contempt petition filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi against Gandhi for his remarks against PM Modi, which the apex court said was incorrectly attributed to it by the Congress chief.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday tendered unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for linking its April 10 order with his remark. Gandhi had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of theft in the Rafale deal and based his 'chowkidar chor hai' remark on Supreme Court verdict.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday tendered unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for linking its April 10 order with his remark. Gandhi had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of theft in the Rafale deal and based his 'chowkidar chor hai' remark on Supreme Court verdict. The apology was offered in a fresh affidavit - the third by Congress president - filed by Gandhi's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the court. In the affidavit, the Congress president said he holds Supreme Court in "highest esteem" and sought closure of contempt proceedings against him. During the last hearing on April 30, the court had lashed out at Gandhi for the affidavit over his alleged contemptuous remark that the Congress president filed in connection with the court's April 10 verdict on Rafale case. "You took 22 pages in the affidavit to express regret? We refrained from saying anything further in the last hearing but this is your second affidavit. You attributed the comment to us and now you are trying to justify?" the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said. The bench asked Gandhi to file another affidavit. After the court rap, Gandhi's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the bench, "There's nothing wrong in the affidavit but allow me to rectify. I will apologise. I made error. For 18 months I have been trying to say that the PM and other party workers are complicit, hence the comment (chowkidar chor hai)." Gandhi filed a second affidavit in the court last week reiterating his stand and again expressing regret on his remarks on the Rafale verdict. Gandhi said that unfortunate references to the court order and juxtaposition of the political slogan in the same breath ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue. "It is unfortunate that this slogan got intermingled with my comments on and references to the apex court's order. My statement was made in the heat of political campaigning," he said in his affidavit. The Congress president had claimed that the apex court has made it "clear" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "committed a theft". He had made the statement while interacting with reporters in Amethi after filing his nomination papers. The court is hearing a criminal contempt petition filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi against Gandhi for his remarks against PM Modi, which the apex court said was incorrectly attributed to it by the Congress chief.

Rahul Gandhi tenders unconditional apology to Supreme Court for linking 'chowkidar chor hai' comment with Rafale verdict

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lashed out at Rahul Gandhi on the affidavit that the Congress president has filed in connection with the court's April 10 verdict on Rafale case.

"You took 22 pages in the affidavit to express regret? We refrained from saying anything further in the last hearing but this is your second affidavit. You attributed the comment to us and now you are trying to justify?" the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said.

The bench asked Gandhi to file another affidavit and posted the matter for hearing on May 6.

Gandhi filed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-counter-affidavit-in-supreme-court-rahul-gandhi-again-regrets-chowkidar-chor-hai-comment-214344">second affidavit in the court</a> on Monday reiterating his stand and again expressing regret on his remarks on the Rafale verdict. Gandhi said that unfortunate references to the court order and juxtaposition of the political slogan in the same breath ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue.

"It is unfortunate that this slogan got intermingled with my comments on and references to the apex court's order. My statement was made in the heat of political campaigning," he said in his affidavit.

After the court rap today, Gandhi's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi - appearing on his behalf - told the bench, "There's nothing wrong in the affidavit but allow me to rectify. I will apologise. I made error. For 18 months I have been trying to say that the PM and other party workers are complicit, hence the comment (chowkidar chor hai)."

During the course of the hearing, lawyer Mukul Rohatgi said, "He says he is a literate person and then doesn't read the Rafale order copy. He has deliberately put words in the mouth of Supreme Court for political gains, to say 'look the Supreme Court said this'. It's deliberate and completely irresponsible."

Rohatgi is representing BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi who has filed the petition against Gandhi for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a thief and attributing his remark to Supreme Court's judgement.

The Congress president had claimed that the apex court has made it "clear" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "committed a theft". He had made the statement while interacting with reporters in Amethi after filing his nomination papers.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lashed out at Rahul Gandhi on the affidavit that the Congress president has filed in connection with the court's April 10 verdict on Rafale case.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lashed out at Rahul Gandhi on the affidavit that the Congress president has filed in connection with the court's April 10 verdict on Rafale case. "You took 22 pages in the affidavit to express regret? We refrained from saying anything further in the last hearing but this is your second affidavit. You attributed the comment to us and now you are trying to justify?" the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said. The bench asked Gandhi to file another affidavit and posted the matter for hearing on May 6. Gandhi filed a second affidavit in the court on Monday reiterating his stand and again expressing regret on his remarks on the Rafale verdict. Gandhi said that unfortunate references to the court order and juxtaposition of the political slogan in the same breath ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue. "It is unfortunate that this slogan got intermingled with my comments on and references to the apex court's order. My statement was made in the heat of political campaigning," he said in his affidavit. After the court rap today, Gandhi's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi - appearing on his behalf - told the bench, "There's nothing wrong in the affidavit but allow me to rectify. I will apologise. I made error. For 18 months I have been trying to say that the PM and other party workers are complicit, hence the comment (chowkidar chor hai)." During the course of the hearing, lawyer Mukul Rohatgi said, "He says he is a literate person and then doesn't read the Rafale order copy. He has deliberately put words in the mouth of Supreme Court for political gains, to say 'look the Supreme Court said this'. It's deliberate and completely irresponsible." Rohatgi is representing BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi who has filed the petition against Gandhi for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a thief and attributing his remark to Supreme Court's judgement. The Congress president had claimed that the apex court has made it "clear" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "committed a theft". He had made the statement while interacting with reporters in Amethi after filing his nomination papers.

Made error, will apologise for 'chowkidar chor hai' comment: Rahul Gandhi to Supreme Court

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-has-made-indias-unipolar-politics-bipolar-says-union-minister-rajnath-singh-196285">Union Minister Rajnath Singh </a>on Monday denounced Congress president Rahul Gandhi's persistent 'chowkidar chor hai'&nbsp;jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and coined a rhyming slogan in his defence.

While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, Singh said that the Prime Minister is not a "chor" (thief) but "pure and that he is the only "cure" for country.

Addressing a gathering here, he said, “Main kehna chahta hoon chowkidaar chor nahi hai, balki hamara chowkidaar pure hai. Agli baar usko PM banna sure hai, aur yahi Bharat ki samasyaon ka cure hai.” (I want to say that our ‘chowkidaar’ is not a thief but is an honest man. He will be the PM for the next time for sure and that is the cure for all problems in India.)

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-committed-to-complete-nrc-within-stipulated-time-rajnath-singh-195425">Singh</a>’s remark comes after Gandhi on Monday continued his "chowkidar chor hai" barb, in a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that his party would not sit idle until a government based on Congress ideology is formed in Uttar Pradesh.

Attacking the Prime Minister, Rahul said, "The country's 'chowkidar'&nbsp;looted the people of Uttar Pradesh, the Air Force and others in the country. Chowkidar chor hai!"&nbsp;

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday denounced Congress president Rahul Gandhi's persistent 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and coined a rhyming slogan in his defence.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday denounced Congress president Rahul Gandhi's persistent 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and coined a rhyming slogan in his defence. While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, Singh said that the Prime Minister is not a "chor" (thief) but "pure and that he is the only "cure" for country. Addressing a gathering here, he said, “Main kehna chahta hoon chowkidaar chor nahi hai, balki hamara chowkidaar pure hai. Agli baar usko PM banna sure hai, aur yahi Bharat ki samasyaon ka cure hai.” (I want to say that our ‘chowkidaar’ is not a thief but is an honest man. He will be the PM for the next time for sure and that is the cure for all problems in India.) Singh’s remark comes after Gandhi on Monday continued his "chowkidar chor hai" barb, in a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that his party would not sit idle until a government based on Congress ideology is formed in Uttar Pradesh. Attacking the Prime Minister, Rahul said, "The country's 'chowkidar' looted the people of Uttar Pradesh, the Air Force and others in the country. Chowkidar chor hai!"

Chowkidar is pure, will become PM for sure: Rajnath Singh

In a no-holds-barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Thursday people are now heard saying the country's chowkidar is a "thief".

Gandhi's remark at a public meeting provoked a strong reaction from the BJP with Union minister Smriti Irani calling him the "clown prince" who had no respect for the prime minister's post.

Rahul Gandhi was referring to the prime minister's silence on the Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France and the Modi government's failure to bring fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to book.

He said he had asked questions on this in Parliament but got no reply, and took a jibe at Modi's past assertions on tackling corruption.

Modi had said he did not want to become the country's prime minister, but its "chowkidar" (watchman), Gandhi recalled.

He added now it is heard on the streets that the country's chowkidar' is a thief.

"Gali gali mein shor hai, Hindustan ka chowkidar chor hai," he said in Hindi at a rally in tribal-dominated Sagwara.

He said this is what the people in Rajasthan and elsewhere in the country felt.

Assembly elections will be held in the state later this year, shortly ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

Gandhi said people are disappointed with the Bharatiya Janata Party governments at the Centre and in Rajasthan and the Congress is now set to win.

?Neither the prime minister and the chief minister, nor their money can stop the change of government in Rajasthan,? he said.

Ahead of the rally, the Congress chief offered prayers at the nearby Gayatri Shaktipeeth temple.

Referring to a recent row, Gandhi claimed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had ?admitted? that Vijay Mallya met him before leaving the country.

?The finance minister allowed Vijay Mallya who defrauded banks to tune of Rs 9,000 crore to leave the country but the prime minister did not break his silence,? he said. 
Mentioning Modi's monthly radio talk, he said the prime minister speaks his ?mann ki baat' in all his speeches but the Congress wants to hear what the people say.

The Congress chief said the promise to provide employment to two crore youths every year and the Make In India campaign had failed as phones, shoes and clothes carried the Made In China tag.

Gandhi claimed only 450 youths get employment in the country each day while China created jobs for 50,000 people every 24 hours.

He alleged an amount of Rs 2,30,000 crore has been ?written off? as bad loan to 15 or 20 big industrialists, but the government has not helped debt-ridden farmers. 
?We will make the people of the state secure and focus on providing employment.&nbsp; 
We want mobile phones with Made in Rajasthan tag,? he said.

Gandhi tried to allay speculation over rifts in the state unit of the party by referring to a motorcycle ride that Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot took together.

The Congress is yet to announce its CM candidate in Rajasthan, unlike the BJP which has said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will be nominated again. 
The Congress president assured that party workers will decide on the candidates in the coming election.

?I can guarantee you that this time not a single parachute candidate will be able to get the ticket. If any such candidate comes, I will cut the rope,? he said.

He also asked senior Congress leader Avinash Pandey to find women faces to represent the party.

Gandhi suggested that the BJP was using money from the state exchequer on its campaign meetings.

?You should know that the posters that you see of the prime minister and the chief minister were made with your money,? he said.

He said the demonitisation of high-currency bank notes and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which he called the ?Gabbar Singh Tax', broke the back of common people and the small businessman.

?We had proposed a one country, one tax system but the prime minister levied a multiple-layer tax system. The Congress government will change it to a single-layer tax system, if voted to power,? he said.

Gandhi accused the Modi government of shelving the Rs 2,000 crore Ratlam-Banswara-Dungarpur rail line plan announced by the previous UPA government, while announcing a bullet train project worth Rs 1 lakh crore. 
&nbsp;

In a no-holds-barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Thursday people are now heard saying the country's chowkidar is a "thief".

In a no-holds-barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Thursday people are now heard saying the country's chowkidar is a "thief". Gandhi's remark at a public meeting provoked a strong reaction from the BJP with Union minister Smriti Irani calling him the "clown prince" who had no respect for the prime minister's post. Rahul Gandhi was referring to the prime minister's silence on the Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France and the Modi government's failure to bring fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to book. He said he had asked questions on this in Parliament but got no reply, and took a jibe at Modi's past assertions on tackling corruption. Modi had said he did not want to become the country's prime minister, but its "chowkidar" (watchman), Gandhi recalled. He added now it is heard on the streets that the country's chowkidar' is a thief. "Gali gali mein shor hai, Hindustan ka chowkidar chor hai," he said in Hindi at a rally in tribal-dominated Sagwara. He said this is what the people in Rajasthan and elsewhere in the country felt. Assembly elections will be held in the state later this year, shortly ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Gandhi said people are disappointed with the Bharatiya Janata Party governments at the Centre and in Rajasthan and the Congress is now set to win. ?Neither the prime minister and the chief minister, nor their money can stop the change of government in Rajasthan,? he said. Ahead of the rally, the Congress chief offered prayers at the nearby Gayatri Shaktipeeth temple. Referring to a recent row, Gandhi claimed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had ?admitted? that Vijay Mallya met him before leaving the country. ?The finance minister allowed Vijay Mallya who defrauded banks to tune of Rs 9,000 crore to leave the country but the prime minister did not break his silence,? he said. Mentioning Modi's monthly radio talk, he said the prime minister speaks his ?mann ki baat' in all his speeches but the Congress wants to hear what the people say. The Congress chief said the promise to provide employment to two crore youths every year and the Make In India campaign had failed as phones, shoes and clothes carried the Made In China tag. Gandhi claimed only 450 youths get employment in the country each day while China created jobs for 50,000 people every 24 hours. He alleged an amount of Rs 2,30,000 crore has been ?written off? as bad loan to 15 or 20 big industrialists, but the government has not helped debt-ridden farmers. ?We will make the people of the state secure and focus on providing employment. We want mobile phones with Made in Rajasthan tag,? he said. Gandhi tried to allay speculation over rifts in the state unit of the party by referring to a motorcycle ride that Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot took together. The Congress is yet to announce its CM candidate in Rajasthan, unlike the BJP which has said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will be nominated again. The Congress president assured that party workers will decide on the candidates in the coming election. ?I can guarantee you that this time not a single parachute candidate will be able to get the ticket. If any such candidate comes, I will cut the rope,? he said. He also asked senior Congress leader Avinash Pandey to find women faces to represent the party. Gandhi suggested that the BJP was using money from the state exchequer on its campaign meetings. ?You should know that the posters that you see of the prime minister and the chief minister were made with your money,? he said. He said the demonitisation of high-currency bank notes and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which he called the ?Gabbar Singh Tax', broke the back of common people and the small businessman. ?We had proposed a one country, one tax system but the prime minister levied a multiple-layer tax system. The Congress government will change it to a single-layer tax system, if voted to power,? he said. Gandhi accused the Modi government of shelving the Rs 2,000 crore Ratlam-Banswara-Dungarpur rail line plan announced by the previous UPA government, while announcing a bullet train project worth Rs 1 lakh crore.

Gali gali mein shor hai, Hindustan ka chowkidar chor hai: Rahul Gandhi