Meanwhile, Cong asks BJP to say sorry

An unusually combative Congress today lashed out at BJP and NDA leaders for unleashing ‘‘a personalised, uncivilised and gutter-level’’ attack against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and warned the Congress would take ‘‘effective action’’ if the party did not apologise.

Congress spokesman Anand Sharma accused the PM of perfecting the art of double-speak by letting his lieutenants attack Sonia while tendering a ‘‘public advice on the need for a dignified discourse in politics’’. While he said the party won’t pay back in the same coin, recent statements issued by the Youth Congress indicate an ugly war of words could take place on the ground.