Congress Chief Clarifies “Terrorist” Comment on PM Modi
On Tuesday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed his recent remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, explaining that he did not mean to label him a terrorist literally. Instead, he suggested that Modi’s efforts are “silencing” individuals by instilling fear.
Kharge made his comments during a press conference in Karnataka’s Kalburgi, where he accused Modi of using government agencies to intimidate people and undermine opponents in elections. He explained, “I didn’t personally attack the PM. Instead, I spoke about how he is creating a climate of fear. The prime minister misuses agencies like the CBI and the Income Tax Department to conduct raids, which he uses to terrorize politicians and candidates. My point was that this fear-mongering is an issue we are facing.”
BJP Responds to Kharge’s Remarks
Following Kharge’s comments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission. They termed Kharge’s statement as an “extreme personal attack” and argued that it violates established campaign conduct standards.
In their letter, the BJP noted that calling Modi a terrorist contradicts the principles of respectful political discourse and could potentially undermine the electoral process. They stated that such comments could lead to defamation and interference with free electoral choice.
Clarification and Context
During the press conference, Kharge initially referred to Modi’s actions as “terrorizing” political parties and people, specifically in the context of the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP. When asked for clarification, he reiterated that he didn’t mean to label Modi as a terrorist but emphasized that he believes Modi is misusing his power to stifle opposition voices.
BJP’s Strong Criticism
The BJP’s response was swift and sharp. National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Kharge, suggesting that his comments reflect poorly on the Congress party and demonstrate a lack of respect for the constitution. Other BJP leaders, including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, demanded apologies from Kharge and other Congress figures, condemning the remarks as offensive to the democratic process and the electorate.
BJP IT chief Amit Malviya expressed outrage over Kharge’s statements, arguing that such language does not represent constructive opposition but rather undermines the integrity of political discourse in India.
As the political tension escalates, the focus remains on how party leaders will navigate the growing discord in the lead-up to the elections.
