ECI Sends Notice To Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge Over 'Terrorist' Remark Against PM Modi

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a notice to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his “terrorist” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The central body has given Kharge 24 hours to explain his stand.

Kharge's Controversial Remark

Mallikarjun Kharge made the controversial statement on Tuesday while addressing reporters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, ahead of the state Assembly elections. 

Criticising the alliance of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the elections, Kharge said, “How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won't believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy.”

Kharge's Clarification

Shortly after calling PM Modi a “terrorist”, Kharge clarified on his remarks, saying that he meant to say that the Prime Minister was “terrorising” people. 

“He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist...What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands,” Kharge said.

Calls For Apology Intensifies

Kharge was massively criticised for his “terrorist” remark. Several BJP leaders demanded an aplogy from him, with Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal saying, "To call the Prime Minister a terrorist, and that too by the Congress National President, is unacceptable. Mallikarjun Kharge must apologise."

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “What has been said by Kharge ji is not a coincidence but a premeditated action. The language used against the three-time elected PM of India, and calling him a terrorist and saying it at a time when we are commemorating one year of Pahalgam, you are giving a clean chit to Islamic jihadis, but calling Modi a terrorist. To abuse Modi has become a practice of Congress."

Elections in Tamil Nadu are set to be held in a single phase on April 23.

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