New Delhi: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday sparked controversy when he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist” while criticising the AIADMK for allying with the BJP for the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. Kharge, whose comment later drew the BJP’s ire, later clarified that PM Modi “threatens” and “terrorises” his opponents.
At a press conference in Chennai, Kharge said, “How can they (AIADMK) join with Modi? He is a terrorist. And he won’t believe in equality. His party won’t believe in equality and justice. These people are joining them. It means that they are weakening democracy.”
When asked to clarify his ‘terrorist’ jibe at PM Modi, Kharge alleged that PM Modi “terrorises” opponents because the central agencies were working hand-in-glove with the BJP.
“I wanted to clarify that PM Modi always threatens (us). I told you that the Income Tax Department, ED and other institutions are in his hands. I never said he’s a terrorist. He’s terrorising (us),” he said.
He claimed that PM Modi is a “liar” and has not done anything for the people of the country for nearly 12 years.
“Modi Ji says, ‘I have a 56-inch chest’. Modi is a liar. He believes in Manusmriti and Chaturvana (four groups of Hindu society). He is anti-women and anti-poor. Don’t believe Modi Ji. He has done nothing for the people of this country,” he said.
Urging the people of Tamil Nadu to vote for the Congress-DMK alliance in the Assembly polls, Kharge said the bloc has protected the state’s rights and believes in social justice, secularism and inclusive growth.
“I urge you to stand with the alliance that has delivered and stand with the alliance that has protected Tamil Nadu’s rights. Rahul Gandhi ji embodies all these principles. He stands for justice, equality and fraternity,” he added.
BJP LASHES OUT AT KHARGE
Union Minister Piyush Goyal slammed Kharge’s ‘terrorist’ 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,” he said.
He asserted that the people of Tamil Nadu won’t forgive Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and give them a befitting reply in the upcoming polls by voting for the AIADMK-BJP alliance.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya too didn’t hold back and accused the Congress of resorting to “abuse and vilification of India’s most popular leader instead of meaningful debate.”
“In yet another crass display, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge calls PM Narendra Modi a “terrorist,” questioning how AIADMK can align with him. This isn’t the first time Kharge has dragged public discourse to such lows… When politics is reduced to name-calling, it reflects not strength, but a deep frustration and lack of credible alternatives,” he tweeted.
The controversy came as Tamil Nadu, which has 234 Assembly seats, will vote in a single phase on April 23. Results will be out on May 4.
