Kharge clarifies he didn’t call Modi a terrorist; says he is facilitating terrorism

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra rejected Kharge’s clarification, stating that Kharge’s description of the PM as a terrorist was not a slip of the tongue and implied a deliberate conspiracy by the Congress, alleging it was done at the behest of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

BJP IT chief Amit Malviya used X to comment on Kharge’s remarks, describing the move as crossing a dangerous line and alleging the Congress president labeled PM Modi a terrorist in broad daylight, asserting it was not a slip of the tongue.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal called for apologies from Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for the remarks, saying it insults the Prime Minister and 140 crore Indians while accusing the Congress and DMK of insulting the nation.

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised Kharge’s remarks, stating that they reflect the Congress's mindset and branding the Congress as engaging in 'samvidhan ka apman' and other charged rhetoric. He described the remarks as crass and not mere criticism.

The article notes that Kharge had attacked PM Modi at a press conference in Chennai, accusing him of terrorising political parties and people by misusing government machinery and central agencies. He had initially referred to the PM as a 'terrorist' before clarifying that he meant Modi was terrorising, not that he was literally a terrorist.

The Bharatiya Janata Party submitted a letter to the Election Commission alleging that describing the PM as a 'terrorist' constitutes extreme personal vilification and a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The letter also claimed the remarks amount to offences under BNS Section 175, undue interference with free electoral choice under Sections 171 and 174, and prima facie defamation under BNS Section 356(1).

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking in Kalburgi, clarified that his earlier remark was not a literal accusation of terrorism. He said Modi is ‘terrorising’ politicians and people by misusing government machinery and agencies, and that he did not call him a terrorist; rather, Modi is facilitating terrorism to silence dissent, which he said was stated in Chennai.