New Delhi: Taking an aggressive stand, the Congress on Saturday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for targeting the Gandhis, saying it was proud of the “family” and warned that any attempt “to separate them from the party” would attract a “befitting” reply. The party’s sharp retort came as its war of words with the government intensified ahead of the Budget session with Modi on Friday attacking Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul, saying “one family” was disrupting Parliament to avenge defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and stalling bills aimed at benefiting the poor.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addresses the media in New Delhi on Friday. Pic/PTI