Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge triggered a political storm on Tuesday after referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” while criticising the AIADMK’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Speaking in Chennai, Kharge questioned the AIADMK’s decision to align with the BJP, accusing Modi and his party of undermining equality and justice. The remark drew immediate backlash from BJP leaders, who demanded a public apology.
Facing criticism, Kharge later clarified that he did not mean Modi was a terrorist, but alleged that the Prime Minister “terrorises” political opponents using central agencies like the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate.
The BJP hit back strongly. Union Minister Piyush Goyal called the comment “shameful” and said it insulted both the Prime Minister and the electorate. Tamil Nadu BJP leaders, including K Annamalai, accused Kharge of lowering political discourse and acting out of desperation ahead of the polls.
The controversy comes just days before Tamil Nadu votes in a single phase on April 23, with results scheduled for May 4.
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