Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday kicked up a fresh controversy when he accused the Telangana Police of radicalising Muslim youths and encouraging them to join the Islamic State group. Singh said the state police had set up a “bogus” website to trap Muslim youths. He asked whether the alleged operation had the approval of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

“If he has then shouldn’t he own the responsibility and resign?” Singh said on Twitter. “If he hasn’t then shouldn’t he enquire and punish those who are responsible for committing such a heinous crime [sic].”

Telangana Director General of Police Anurag Sharma said the Congress leader’s comments would demoralise the force, reported The Indian Express. “Unfounded allegations from a senior, responsible leader will lower the morale and image of police engaged in fighting anti-national forces,” Sharma said.

Telangana’s Information Technology Minister KT Rama Rao said Singh should give an unconditional apology to the state police force for his “utterly irresponsible” remarks. Singh’s allegations were rejected by the deputy chief minister of the state as well, who said the senior leader should quit politics.