Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday defended her brother and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, emphasising that his remarks should not be construed as an insult to the armed forces.She also took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her jibe that he should set up an “apaman mantralaya” (ministry of insults).“Modi ji should open an ‘apaman mantralaya’ because he claims to be insulted every other day. My brother has not said anything that could be seen as an insult to the Army — and he would never do so. He cares deeply for the welfare of the armed forces and has immense devotion to this country. He stands up fearlessly against the BJP and speaks the truth to the nation,” the Wayanad MP told reporters in Bihar’s West Champaran, on the eve of the first phase of polling for 121 assembly seats in the state. The remaining 122 constituencies will go to the polls on November 11, with counting for both phases scheduled for November 14. The Congress is part of the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance, which is seeking to unseat the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), of which the BJP is a senior member. On Tuesday, the final day of campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections, Gandhi, while addressing rallies in Aurangabad and Kutumba, alleged that “10 per cent of the country’s population controls the Army.” “Only 10 per cent of the country’s population get opportunities in the corporate sector, bureaucracy, and judiciary… even the Army is under their control. The remaining 90 per cent — backward classes, Dalits, STs, and minorities — are nowhere to be seen,” the former Congress president said. His remarks drew sharp criticism from defence minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, who cautioned Gandhi against “dragging the army into politics.”“There should be reservation. We (the BJP) also support reservations. We have given reservations to the poor. But when it comes to the army, our soldiers have only one religion — ‘Sainya Dharma’. There is no other religion beyond this. Don’t drag our military into politics. Whenever this country has faced a crisis, our soldiers have made the nation proud with their bravery and valour,” Singh stated. “This politics of caste, sect, and religion has caused great harm to the country. Our belief is that every section of society should progress. We want to include everyone, without discrimination based on caste, sect, or religion. Our sages and ancestors never even conceived of such divisions,” he added.