Kharge’s PM jibe triggers BJP backlash
War of words escalates as Kharge accuses PM Modi of terrorising democracy, prompting BJP condemnation
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge ignited political controversy on Tuesday by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist” in his criticism, later clarifying that he meant the PM is “terrorising” people, after swift backlash from the BJP.
Questioning how the AIADMK — a party rooted in the Dravidian ideologies of Periyar and CN Annadurai — could justify partnering with Prime Minister Modi, Kharge said: “How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai... how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist...He doesn’t believe in equality. His party won’t believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining them, which means that they are weakening democracy.”
However, when asked by reporters to clarify his remark, Kharge explained that he did not intend to label Prime Minister Modi as a terrorist in the literal sense. Instead, Kharge said he meant that the Prime Minister is ‘terrorising’ the democratic system and political opponents through the misuse of government power and agencies.
“He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this... he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, malingering opposition parties,” Kharge said.
The Congress president’s remarks drew strong condemnation from senior BJP leaders, who dubbed the remarks “crass” and “a personal insult” to Modi as Goyal demanded an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Demanding an apology from Gandhi and Stalin for “this downright insult” to the Prime Minister, the Union Minister said the Congress and DMK have humiliated 140 crore Indians, including our 8 crore Tamil brothers and sisters, with this statement.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal slammed Kharge’s remark on PM Modi and demanded an apology from him. “We feel ashamed that the Congress has come down to such a level. They called a democratically-elected Prime Minister a terrorist. He has been elected by the people. I strongly condemn Kharge’s statement and demand an apology from him for insulting him and the people of our country,” Goyal, who is the Assembly elections incharge of Tamil Nadu, said.
“This unholy alliance is effectively calling Indians terrorists by targeting the Prime Minister. Such personal attacks against the PM won’t reverse their electoral fate that has already been sealed by the anger of the people who have suffered their misrule,” he added.
BJP IT chief Amit Malviya also took to social media and posted a series of comments to attack the Congress, while BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the words Kharge chose for the Prime Minister are not only condemnable but also reflect the mindset of the Congress party. Kharge called him a terrorist.”
In his reactions, Home Minister Amit Shah said every day, Congress is hitting new lows in its demeanour, breaking its own record in lowering the standard of public discourse. "Today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge breached every standard of public conduct and brought shame to the nation by calling the elected Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, a terrorist. This insult to the foremost leader of the nation is an insult to the millions of people who love and support PM Modi. Calling a leader like PM Modi terrorist, who has completely curbed terrorism in the last 12 years, is highly condemnable. Every time the Congress hurls abuses at Modi Ji, it is the people of India who answer them. This time too, the people will respond," Shah said on social media.
