Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the "pseudo-nationalist" BJP now wanted to give "certificates of loyalty" to the armed forces.
"Shameful & Unacceptable! Ex BJP President & Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari insults 'Indian Navy', questions their valour and dedication. Pseudo-Nationalist BJP now wants to issue certificates of 'loyalty' to India's armed forces," he wrote on Twitter.
Gadkari said at a public event in Mumbai: "Actually, Navy is needed at the borders from where terrorists sneak in. Why does everyone (in the Navy) want to stay in South Mumbai? They (Navy) had come to me, asking for a plot (of land). I will not give even an inch of land. Please don't come to me again."