New Delhi: A sharp political controversy has erupted after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” during a public interaction, drawing strong condemnation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Reacting to the remark, Shah said the statement crossed all limits of public discourse and brought disrepute to the country. He criticised the Congress for what he described as a continuous decline in political standards, adding that such comments insult not only the Prime Minister but also millions of citizens who support him. He asserted that the public would respond to such remarks in due course.
Kharge made the comment while questioning the AIADMK’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the run up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Referring to prominent social and political figures, he expressed concern over the ideological implications of the alliance. However, amid mounting criticism, he later clarified that his statement was not meant to be taken literally. He said his intention was to convey that political opponents and institutions were being subjected to pressure, and that his words were used in that context.
The issue quickly escalated, with several BJP leaders demanding an apology. Union Minister Piyush Goyal described the remark as deeply offensive and called on senior opposition leaders to respond. The party also moved the Election Commission, filing a formal complaint and alleging that the statement violated the Model Code of Conduct.
In its submission, the BJP termed the comment derogatory and sought immediate intervention, including a public apology or retraction and possible restrictions on campaign activities. It also urged authorities to prevent further circulation of the statement across media and digital platforms.
A delegation of senior BJP leaders is expected to meet election officials to press for action, as the controversy adds to the already charged political atmosphere ahead of the polls.
