Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a political row on Tuesday by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist”, a remark he later clarified as accusing the PM of “terrorising” political parties.
The controversial remark sparked strong condemnation from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who dubbed the comment an “insult” not only to Modi but to 1.4 billion Indians.
The BJP also complained to the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the comment was defamatory and violated the model code of conduct.
Kharge made the remarks while criticising the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s alliance with the BJP, addressing a press conference in Chennai.
However, when asked by reporters at the press conference about his remark, Kharge said he meant the PM was “terrorising” the democratic fabric of the country.
Kharge’s remarks drew strong condemnation from senior BJP leaders, with Union minister Piyush Goyal demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin “for this downright insult of the people of India”.
