Rahul Gandhi is a Babar Bhakt, Kin of Khilji, Says BJP Spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday stepped up its attack on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, with party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao taking to Twitter, calling him a ‘Babar Bhakt’ and ‘kin of Khilji’.

Rao also accused him of opposing the movement to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

This comes a day after lawyer and Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked the Supreme Court to defer its judgment in the Ayodhya Babri Masjid Ram Janambhoomi case.

Gandhi had recently said he and his family members were 'Shiv Bhakts' (devotees of Lord Shiva) but asserted that he did not want to use his religion for political gains. This was in response to a controversy that broke out after Gandhi’s name was found written on the entry register meant for non- Hindus after a visit to Somnath temple.

Bihar Congress president Qaukab Qadri went further and claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a devout 'Sanatan' Hindu who wears the Janeu (sacred thread) all the time.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also hit out at Gandhi, likening him to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Sibal, while arguing for the Sunni Waqf Board told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that since the court's decision in the case would have "very serious ramifications", hearing be deferred till July 2019 by which time the general election would be over.

"Please fix the matter in July 2019 and we assure that we will not seek any adjournments... justice should not only be done, it should seem to be done," Sibal told the court.

The special bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra "prima facie" rejected the demand and decided to hear the matter on February 8 next year.

The BJP immediately went on the offensive against the Congress on the issue, with party president Amit Shah asking it to come clear on its stand on the issue. Hitting out at the Congress for "double standards", Shah said that on one hand, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is on "election tour of temples" in Gujarat, while on the other his party wants the hearing on the title dispute to be deferred.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too jumped on to the bandwagon on Wednesday. “Kapil Sibal, a Congress MP, argued in Supreme Court yesterday in the Babri Masjid case. He can argue in court but is it right for him to say postpone hearing till 2019? Why is he linking elections with Ram Mandir. Now, the Congress is linking Ram Mandir with politics,” Modi said while addressing an election rally in Gujarat.

Anand Sharma, deputy leader of Congress in the Rajya Sabha, hit back at the PM and said the party has nothing to do with Sibal’s stand in the SC.

Gandhi has been visiting several temples in Gujarat while on the campaign trail in the election bound state, irking the BJP who have accused him of flaunting religion for votes.