Mumbai, May 25 -- A fierce political war of words has erupted in Maharashtra, as state Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday slammed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress leader of acting as a "Pakistani agent" and suggesting his rhetoric is influenced by external handlers.

Following Rahul Gandhi's assertion that the current NDA government "will not last till next year" due to ongoing economic distress, Nitesh Rane reacted sharply, claiming the Congress MP is echoing sentiments intended to appease interests across the border.

"Rahul Gandhi is a Pakistani agent. He himself talked about Pakistan...," Rane told reporters. "He reads a script here which originated there. To make his Pakistani bosses happy, their agent Rahul Gandh...