With the stage set for Congress President Sonia Gandhi to become prime minister, a beleaguered Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday threatened to launch a countrywide protest on the issue of her foreign origin.
"In the prevailing situation, people will have to fight the second freedom struggle. We will do whatever is needed to create public awareness on the issue," said Babulal Marandi, BJP vice president and former chief minister of Jharkhand.
"The elevation of Sonia Gandhi to the post of prime minister will be a black day for the country.
"We accept the people's verdict and we have no problem that the Congress is forming the Government with the help of other parties. But we feel hurt that a person of foreign origin is set to become prime minister," he said.
"The country has been pushed into shackles of slavery and has lost the theme of freedom. Today the soul of Mahatma Gandhi must be weeping."
"If needed I will not hesitate to resign from the Lok Sabha to register my protest," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"If needed I will not hesitate to resign from the Lok Sabha to register my protest," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj had on Saturday threatened to quit the Rajya Sabha to protest against Sonia Gandhi becoming prime minister.