NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday alleged that instead of coming clear on whether expenses for United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s travel and treatment were paid from public exchequer and what was the amount spent, Congress is diverting attention by saying the opposition is raising issues about her health.

“We condemn the Congress party’s approach in diverting and adding issues, which have not been raised by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

“He has very clearly quoted media sources and raised a question. If you are genuinely interested in answering the question, you would say what was the amount spent,” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

Modi had on Monday alleged that according to a media report, Rs188 million were spent on travel and treatment of Gandhi.

However, the Gujarat chief minister had offered to tender a public apology hours after making the allegation if his charge was found to be false.

“If it was not Rs188 million, then what was it, just say. If money was not spent from public exchequer, say so. What stops you from answering this question,” Sitharaman told reporters.

She alleged that Congress is resorting to diversionary tactics to evade answering these questions.

“We also give good wishes for the health of Sonia Gandhi but if expenses were paid from the public treasury, please clarify,” the BJP spokesperson said.

The Congress has dismissed Modi’s charge as “falsehood” and said it is regrettable that the Gujarat chief minister has resorted to blatant lies, which now stand exposed after the revelations of Hisar-based Right to Information (RTI) activist Ramesh Sharma.

“The figures Modi has given today is Rs180 million. The government has not given any response to it. I never got any such information from the RTI had filed. I have not got any figure of Rs180 million. I don’t know from where Modi is referring to it,” Verma had said from Hisar.

Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari has said Modi had made the allegation to divert the attention of the people of Gujarat from the real issues confronting the state.