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The Congress on Monday slammed Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan for calling All India Congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi 'an Amul baby', reminding him that he should use a language that suited his age and stature while criticising political opponents.
"Achuthanandan has lowered his stock himself by trying to ridicule Rahul Gandhi, who is a source of inspiration for millions in the country," Kerala Pradesh Congress Commitee president Ramesh Chennithala said in a statement.
"The people of India know the political legacy, ideals and background of Rahul Gandhi. It is quite unbecoming of a person holding a high position to run down a widely respected leader like Rahul Gandhi by using intemperate language," he said.
Congress leader Anil Shastri, who is campaigning in Kerala, said, "I expect Achuthanandan to use the language befitting his age of 87 years and his position as chief minister of Kerala."
Instead of making intemperate comments, Achuthanandan should reply to charges levelled against the Left Demcoratic Front government by Gandhi, particularly those related to unemployment, he said.
"Achuthanandan should now start preparing to pack his bags for a relaxed retired life after May 13, (counting day)," Shastry said.
Achuthananadan had flayed Gandhi for his jibe at the Communist Party of India - Marxist stalwart about his age.
"Rahul Gandhi is an Amul baby. He has come to Kerala to campaign for Amul babies," Achuthanandan had said on Sunday at an election rally in Palakkad.
Taking a dig at 87-year-old Achutanandan, Gandhi, 40, projected as the youth face of the Congress, had said at a campaign meeting in the state on Saturday that if the LDF was re-elected, Kerala would have a 93-year-old as chief minister in five years time.
Finance Minister and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee had earlier snubbed Achutanandan for his comment.
"I do not react to uncivilised comments. It speaks of the individual's taste," Mukherjee said at a meet-the-press programme in Kolkata.