Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered a political row, just a few days ahead of phase one of the high-stakes Gujarat elections.
Kharge, while addressing a rally in Gujarat on Monday, compared Modi to Raavan and asked if the PM had “100 heads”. Kharge said: “We see your (Modi’s) face in corporation elections, MLA elections or MP elections, everywhere. Do you have 100 heads like Raavan?”
Kharge was referring to the PM's massive campaigns in Gujarat ahead of the polls. Kharge further said: "Modi ji is Prime Minister. Forgetting his work, he keeps campaigning in corporation elections, MLA elections, MP elections, everywhere... All the time he's talking about himself - 'You don't have to see anyone else, just look at Modi and vote'.”
Reacting sharply to the Congress veteran's comments, BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya accused the Congress of repeatedly “insulting Gujarat and its sons”. He said: “Unable to take the heat of Gujarat election, pushed to the fringe, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge loses control over his words, calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Ravan”. From “Maut ka Saudagar” to “Ravan”, Congress continues to insult Gujarat and it’s son.”
Unable to take the heat of Gujarat election, pushed to the fringe, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge loses control over his words, calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Ravan”.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 29, 2022
From “Maut ka Saudagar” to “Ravan”, Congress continues to insult Gujarat and it’s son… pic.twitter.com/je5lkU4HBw
BJP's Sambit Patra also condemned Kharge and said the “inappropriate language” used by the party chief “shows Congress's mindset”. “It's an insult not just to PM Modi. It is an insult to every Gujarati, to Gujarat,” Batra added.
The campaigning for the first phase of elections in 89 of the total 182 seats in Gujarat ends on Tuesday. Elections for the first phase will be held on December 1. Voting for the remaining seats will be held on December 5. Results will be declared on December 8.