Hours after, Parrikar wrote a letter to Gandhi, the BJP leaders took on twitter to attack him.

"Dear Rahul Gandhi, you showed how insensitive you are, by lying in the name of a person fighting a disease. The people of India are disgusted by your reckless behaviour. In his trademark style Manohar Parrikar ji sets the record straight," BJP President Amit Shah tweeted.

Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Smriti Irani questioned Rahul Gandhi's "Sanskar" and hit out at him for using the courtesy visit for politicial purposes.

"Mr Rahul Gandhi what type of human being are you? You went for an alleged courtesy visit to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar who is fighting a courageous battle against cancer and you used it for political purposes," he said.

He said it was disgusting to use a courtesy visit to an ailing leader to propagate lies about Rafale which was never discussed during meeting.A

"We all believe Manohar Parrikar and he has rightly charged you with rank opportunism. Mr. Gandhi please maintain some standards of humanity," he said.

Irani too slammed the Congress leader and his behaviour proved that he can stoop to any low for politicial gains.

"What kind of Sanskar you have shown by making an excuse for a courtesy call? This proves Rahul can stoop low for his political gains," she said.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, "God Help Us! If what he said did not happen, why did he think it happened?"

"After being contradicted by an ailing Manohar Parrikar Ji almost immediately, the gentleman who is a habitual offender should know that credibility is a valuable asset in politics," he tweeted.