Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on Tuesday, sparked a controversy when he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist' during a press conference in Chennai.
Kharge initially called PM Modi a "terrorist" while criticising the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP. "How can these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won't believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy," the Congress leader was quoted as saying.
However, when pressed by reporters to clarify the context of the remark, Kharge claimed that Modi was "terrorising" the democratic fabric of the country.
"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 chief also alleged that the Election Commission has become an "extension of the BJP office" and accused the PM of violating the Model Code of Conduct in the final stages of the election campaign. He further claimed that central agencies like the CBI, ED, and Income Tax department were being deployed as tools of intimidation against political workers.
Lashing out at the remarks, BJP MP Sambit Patra called the remarks "condemnable" and said this is no slip of tongue, but a reflection of the mindset of Congress.
"Even if he is offering any explanation, remember this is a deliberate conspiracy by the Congress party... Every day, Rahul Gandhi uses abusive language against the Prime Minister in his speeches, and today, at Rahul's behest, Mallikarjun Kharge called the prime minister a terrorist. This is the same Congress party that calls Osama bin Laden 'Osama ji'," the BJP leader said.
He added, "This is the same Congress party that is seen standing with major terrorists, yet calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terrorist. This is the same Congress party that calls Zakir Naik an apostle of peace... The Congress party should remember that whenever the Congress party has abused the Prime Minister, the people of India have punished it. This time too, the people of India will give a reply."
BJP leader K Annamalai demanded an apology from Kharge over his remarks. "After coming to Tamil Nadu, Mallikarjun Kharge has seen the ground. He knows INDIA alliance is in for a huge defeat. That is why, out of desperation, he is using this kind of language... Some politicians in India should retire at the earliest, and Kharge, it suits him best," he said.
