The Congress and several other opposition parties today slammed BJP chief Amit Shah for dragging political discourse to a "new low" after his remarks equating parties trying to join hands against the BJP to 'snakes, 'mongoose, 'dogs' and 'cats'.
The CPI and the TMC also hit out at Shah for his remarks, saying one does not expect this from the president of a national party in power.
Senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said the remarks were "shameful" and reflected Shah's mindset.
He was reacting to remarks by Shah during a Mumbai rally to mark BJP's Foundation Day.
Shah said, "The countdown for 2019 (polls) has begun. Attempts are being made for opposition unity. When huge floods occur, everything is washed away. Only a 'vatvriksha (banyan tree) survives and snakes, mongoose, dogs, cats and other animals climb to save themselves from the rising waters."
Congress leader Sharma said, "The remarks made by Amit Shah are condemnable. It shows their mindset. They have repeatedly dragged the political discourse to a new low."
National Conference chief Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Did the BJP President liken the Hon PM to a natural disaster?"
Later, addressing a press conference, Shah said, "What I meant was political parties having no ideological similarities are coming together out of fear of Modi."