'India is PM's family': AIADMK's retort after Kharge jibe at PM Modi

AIADMK, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has provided a witty rejoinder to Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge's comment concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flag-hoisting statement made during the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort.

During his Independence Day address on August 15, Prime Minister Modi articulated, "The next time, on August 15, I will present before you the achievements and developments of the country from this Red Fort." However, Kharge's reaction to this statement was characterized by its directness, as he referred to it as "arrogance." Notably absent from the Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort, the Congress chief expounded, "While every person asserts their return after victory, the actual decision lies with the electorate, with the voters. To assert in 2023 that 'I will hoist the flag once more in 2024' reeks of arrogance... He will once again hoist the National Flag next year, but this time he will do it at his own house."

Modi has no family, his family is India: AIADMK

In a swift and shrewd response to Kharge's comment regarding PM Modi, AIADMK MP  M. Thambidurai articulated, "I want to tell him that Modi's home is India. He does not have any family. Therefore, he feels India is his family. Therefore, in India, Red Fort is the place where he can hoist the flag."

#WATCH | On Congress chief and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge not attending Independence Day event, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai says, "Modi's home is India. He does not have a family. So, he thinks that India is his family. Therefore, in India Red Fort is the place where he can… pic.twitter.com/y5lYsVZXcM

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Thambidurai further elaborated on his stance, drawing a parallel between the political leaders' family dynamics. He elucidated, "Kharge may have his own family. Same way Sonia ji also have... They are doing a dynasty thing." The AIADMK leader drew a significant connection between former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Narendra Modi stating that much like Vajpayee, who had no family, Modi similarly lacks a conventional family. 

"Vajpayee ji had no family. Similarly, Modi ji has no family. His family is India. So, what Kharge said is correct - Red Fort is his house, and he (PM Modi) will hoist the National Flag at his house next year as well," he said.