NEW DELHI – A high-level delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, lodging a formal complaint against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The complaint follows Kharge’s controversial remarks in which he allegedly labelled Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist” during a press conference in poll-bound Tamil Nadu.
The delegation, led by Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, and Arjun Ram Meghwal, described the statement as a “grave violation” of the Model Code of Conduct and a direct assault on the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office.
“An Insult to the Nation”: BJP Leadership Reacts
Following the meeting with the ECI, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed deep outrage, asserting that the Congress party has crossed all “red lines” of political discourse.
“To call a democratically elected Prime Minister a ‘terrorist’ is not just a personal attack; it is an insult to the 1.4 billion people of India and the sovereignty of our democratic institutions,” Rijiju told reporters.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that the remarks were not accidental but part of a calculated strategy. She noted that the timing—falling on a day when the nation was paying tribute to the victims of the Pulwama attack—added a layer of insensitivity to the comments.
The Controversy in Context
The friction stems from Kharge’s address in Chennai on April 21, where he was campaigning for the DMK-Congress alliance. In his critique of the BJP’s governance, Kharge reportedly stated that the Prime Minister “is a terrorist” who “terrorizes” political opponents.
Kharge’s Clarification:
Following the initial backlash, the Congress President attempted to clarify his stance, suggesting his words were misinterpreted. He claimed he was referring to “tax terrorism” and the alleged weaponization of central agencies like the ED and CBI to intimidate the Opposition.
BJP’s Formal Demands to the ECI
In a memorandum submitted to the Commission, the BJP has sought immediate and stringent action against the Congress chief. The party’s primary demands include:
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Campaign Ban: A temporary restriction on Mallikarjun Kharge from addressing further election rallies.
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Criminal Charges: Filing of an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for defamation and making statements “conducive to public mischief.”
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Public Apology: A formal retraction and apology from the Congress leadership.
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Content Takedown: Directing social media platforms to remove videos of the speech to prevent the spread of “misinformation and hatred.”
A “Pattern” of Derogatory Language
Nirmala Sitharaman further alleged that this incident is part of a “chronic pattern” within the Congress party. She referenced past controversial statements by various Congress leaders, suggesting that the party consistently resorts to personal vilification when it lacks a substantive policy-based challenge to the Prime Minister.
Current Status
The Election Commission has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and is expected to issue a notice to Mallikarjun Kharge seeking a response within 24 to 48 hours. With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections reaching a fever pitch, this legal and political face-off is expected to dominate the final leg of the campaign trail.
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