“I will give up my public career” if there is any truth in the allegations, Singh said while speaking to reporters on board Air India One on his return home from a three-day visit to Myanmar.

Singh said that the allegations should be verified. “Aur agar usmen zara bhi sach nikalta hai to main — I will give up my public career and country can give me any punishment,” he said.

Speaking alternately in English and Hindi, Singh said, “Bharat ki janta is baat ka faisla kare ki kya kasoor kiya hai pradhan mantri ne jo ki itne kathin aur kathor shabd unke liye istemal kiye ja rahe hain (The people of India must decide whether the prime minister has committed any crime deserving such harsh words)”. A visibly anguished PM lamented about “words which are being used without reason or rhyme”.