The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday called Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law Robert Vadra as “criminals out on bail”.

Targeting the Congress over posters showing Robert Vadra with party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, who is also his wife, and Rahul Gandhi, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said that posters of two criminals have been put up at Congress office.

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“Posters of two criminals have been put in front of Congress office. Both are out on bail – Criminal no.1, Rahul Gandhi, in connection with National Herald case and criminal no.2, Robert Vadra, is to appear before ED today in connection with money laundering case,” he said at a press conference in New Delhi.

Patra said that Gandhi is an accused in the Rs 5000 crore corruption in National Herald case and for not paying Rs 600 crore Income Tax.

Posters of Rahul, Priyanka and Robert Vadra were put up outside the Congress office at Akbar Road late on Tuesday.

The posters had the slogans “Kattar Soch Nahi, Yuva Soch” (Not extremist ideology but young thinking) and “Jan-Jan Ki Hai, Yahi Pukaar, Rahul-ji Priyanka-ji Ab Ki Baar” (People of the nation want Rahul and Priyanka this time).

The posters triggered a major controversy because Vadra is on interim bail till 16 February in connection with a money laundering case against him. He is set to appear before the ED in connection with investigation into a 2009 petroleum deal case.

A Delhi court directed Vadra to cooperate with the investigative agency. The case pertains to allegations of money laundering in a purchase of London-based property costing 1.9 million pounds.

Reacting to BJP’s jibe, Congress leader Sanjay Singh made a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s marital status.

“Ye durbhagya hai Modi ji ka ki unki patni hai aur unke saath vo poster nahi lagate. Robert Vadra Priyanka ke pati hain, bhagwan kare unka sambandh rahe. Unka naam jo tamaam cheezo mein ghaseeta ja raha hai aaj tak BJP ke paas ek baat bhi pramaan ki nahi hui, (It is unfortunate for PM Modi that he does not have a single poster with his wife. Robert Vadra is Priyanka’s husband, may God keep them together forever. None of the allegations against him by the BJP have been proven to date),” Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.

“Today Robert Vadra is appearing before ED. Tomorrow, Modi will appear before ED,” Singh said.

Vadra is the husband of Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul’s sister who was recently appointed Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka will lead the Congress Lok Sabha 2019 campaign in all 43 parliamentary seats in East Uttar Pradesh.

She arrived in the national capital on Monday. Her office was set up next to Rahul Gandhi’s room at the party office.