Mallikarjun Kharge refers to PM Modi as “terrorist,” later clarifies remarks.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in controversial terms while criticising the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP for the Tamil Nadu elections. When questioned by reporters, he clarified that he did not literally call the Prime Minister a terrorist, but meant that PM Modi was “terrorising people and political parties” through political pressure.

Kharge explained that institutions such as the ED, CBI, and Income Tax department were being misused, and said his remarks were made in that context. He further stated that his intention was to highlight alleged intimidation in politics, not to label the Prime Minister personally.

The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemned the remarks. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari described the Congress as an “Urban Naxal party” and accused it of using abusive language against the Prime Minister. He also alleged that repeated such statements reflected a dangerous political narrative.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also criticised the Congress, calling the comments an insult to the Prime Minister and demanding an apology. He stated that the remarks had hurt democratic values and the sentiments of citizens who elected the Prime Minister.

The controversy intensified after Kharge questioned AIADMK’s decision to align with the BJP, saying such alliances contradict the legacy of leaders like Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and weaken democratic principles.

Earlier, Narendra Modi had accused opposition parties, including Congress and DMK, of opposing key legislation related to women’s reservation, which further escalated political tensions.

The remarks sparked a sharp political exchange between the ruling party and the opposition, with both sides trading accusations over democratic conduct and language used in public discourse.