Mumbai, November 4: Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge, who has emerged at the forefront of challenging the government on the "unilateral action" taken against CBI chief Alok Verma, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to turn Indian democracy into a dictatorship.

Kharge claimed that Modi's vision for India is similar to the Germany envisaged under Nazi rule by dictator Adolf Hitler. If the BJP would not be defeated in 2019, the founding principles of India would cease to exist, Kharge said while addressing the party cadres in Mumbai on Sunday. Kharge Disapproves Alok Verma's Removal in Strongly-Worded Letter to PM Modi.

"An attempt is being made to impose dictatorship on this nation. What Hitler did in Germany, Modi wants to do in India today," he added.

Kharge's verbal tirade comes a day after he moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's decision to send Verma on a "forced leave".

in his petition, Kharge claimed that the action was illegal as per the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. As per the law, he added, the CBI director could be appointed, transferred or sacked by the three-member committee which comprises of the Chief Justice of India and Leader of Opposition, apart from the Prime Minister.

Kharge, who is part of the committee, told the court through his petition that the government made no attempt to discuss with him on the action taken against Verma. "The decision is arbitrary, illegal and without any jurisdiction," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 04, 2018 10:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).