The Trinamool Congress today demanded that Narendra Modi should apologise publicly or face a defamation case for questioning the sale of Mamata Banerjee's paintings.

Party general secretary Mukul Roy told reporters in Kolkatta that either he has to prove the charges or apologise publicly otherwise they will file a defamation case against him.

At a rally in Srirampore yesterday Modi had said that Mamata's paintings used to be sold for just four or eight lakh rupees but what is the reason that one of her paintings was sold for one croree eighty lakh rupees.

Roy said that the party has written to the Election Commission complaining that such unsubstantiated allegations are a violation of the model code of conduct.

Without naming Modi, he alleged that someone whose hands are blood-stained in Gujarat riots is doubting the integrity and sincerity of their leader and making personal attacks.