Jalna ( Maharashtra), Mar 31 : Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar launched a scathing attack on main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial Narendra Modi calling him mentally ill, who needs treatment for making derogatory comments.

"Modi needs to be treated in a mental hospital for talking rubbish," Pawar said.

"Modi says that India should be made free from Congress. I do not want to say much about him but I would like to say that there will be no enthusiasm after the elections are over and he will have to will be admitted in a hospital. He is not suitable for the country and such people cannot run the government nor are they capable of running the government," Pawar added.

Pawar's attack comes in retaliation to the one by Modi. Modi had ridiculed Pawar for not making any efforts to save the farmers in the belt, which has seen a spate of suicides and requested the people to make the state free from Congress and National Congress Party during his rally in Akola.

Senior Congress leader, Rita Bahuguna Joshi blamed Modi for making offensive comments that hurt the sentiments of Pawar.

"Everyone should have a control on their language. The way Narendra Modi is addressing the rallies it seems that he is in a hurry to attain power. He does not use dignified words and therefore, Sharad Pawar might have used some strong words against him," Bahuguna said.

Senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said it was unfortunate of an eminent leader of such a stature like Pawar to make insensitive statements.

"Such an eminent leader like Sharad Pawar is losing his patience and it implies that their defeat is sure and that is why he is making such statements. Looking at his experience, it is very unfortunate of him to make such a statement," Gadkari said. (ANI)