WATCH THIS: Rahul Gandhi says "Masood Azhar Ji" in poll rally, Smriti Irani and BJP launch 'Rahul loves terrorists' attack

BJP has accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of giving hour and respect to Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, by referring to terrorist leader as 'Masood Azhar Ji' in a rally.

remarks had been made by Rahul Gandhi in a speech in Delhi on Monday where he had once again attacked Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government over release of Masood Azhar in exchange for safe return of passengers of hijacked plane IC-814 in 1999.

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Rahul Gandhi's precise words, while speaking about dastardly February 14 Pulwama terror attack, are:

"40 CRPF soldiers lost ir lives. Who was responsible for bombing? Listen, it was Jaish-e-Mohammad. Masood Azhar. Do you remember? w, one who has 56-inch chest, do you remember that during his previous government, Security Advisor Ajit Doval sat with Masood Azhar Ji in an aircraft and handed him over to Kandahar."

hint of sarcasm, eir verbal or n-verbal, is discernable in his remarks.

Consequent to this, an edited video of Rahul Gandhi simply saying words 'Masood Azhar ji' has been shared by BJP, where party writes:

"This much respect for head of terrorist organisation that perpetrated attack in which 44 brave Jawans were martyred!"

A similar video has also been shared by Union Minister Smriti Irani, who asks:

"What is common between Rahul Gandhi and Pakistan? ir love for terrorists."

Rahul Gandhi has been criticised by BJP for his and his fellow Opposition leaders' statements questioning Indian Air Force over February 26 air strike on Pakistan's terror bases across LoC. Congress president had been referred to by name by less than Foreign minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in an interview where latter was attempting to bolster his country's case.