The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday (19 May) alleged that a Congress research cell member was the author of the what BJP leaders are calling the 'toolkit' of the Sonia Gandhi-led party to adopt various underhand techniques to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP led central government.

BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra took to twitter to allege that Saumya Verma, who purportedly works at the research department of Congress, was the author of the 'toolkit'.

Patra said that the properties of the document, which was unveiled yesterday, showed that the author of the 'toolkit' was Saumya Varma.

Varma, according to Patra, works at office of Congress leader M V Rajeev Gowda, who is the chairman of party's research department.

It should be noted that as per the alleged toolkit shared by BJP leaders including Patra, the Covid-19 pandemic is an opportunity to "destroy the image of Prime Minister Modi". It states that in order to achieve it, International media coverage by foreign corespondents can be tailored and a liaison be established with foreign journalists and Indian oped writers in foreign publications.

"Use the phrase Indian Strain whenever talking of new mutant. Social Media volunteers can call it Modi Strain", the alleged toolkit states.

The toolkit which contains the Congress symbol on the top right corner of each shared page, calls for the use of dramatic photographs of funerals and dead bodies which is already being done by foreign media. It goes on to say that such journalists can be facilitated by the local Congress cadre.

Another screenshot shared by Patra states that an advance collaboration with friendly journalists should be carried out on social media to amplify requests for Covid related help and a response should only be made if the Indian Youth Congress' handle is tagged. It also states that calls from help by journalists and influencers should get priority.

Patra has also posted screenshots from the alleged "toolkit" which criticises the Central Vista Project.

Meanwhile, Congress claimed that the "toolkit" dated May 2021 was a "forgery" and has said that it will file FIRs against BJP president J P Nadda and spokesperson Sambit Patra.