Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday landed in controversy on the last day of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu when he called PM Modi a ‘terrorist’ and asserted that he who won't believe in equality and these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy. Kharge says, "How can they (AIADMK) join with Modi? He is a terrorist. And he who won't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy..."
Piyush Goyal says NDA alliance is getting a clean sweep in Tamil Nadu
Reacting to Kharge's remark on PM Modi, BJP's TN election incharge and Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "NDA alliance is getting a clean sweep. You look at the tremendous response that Prime Minister Modi got, and that Edappadi K. Palaniswami is getting day in and day out. You saw the road show at Mylapore of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. You saw Chandrababu Naidu, the response he got..."
Kharge clarifies his 'terrorist' remark on PM Modi
In the meantime, Kharge clarified his 'terrorist' remark and said “Because the BJP government is terrorising political parties and, particularly, candidates. They are using institutions like the CBI, ED, and the Income Tax Department, and are misusing them. They are creating fear among people so that they think the government is powerful enough to target even opposition parties. In that context, I spoke. I never said that he is a terrorist. I said that he and his government are terrorizing people by using these institutions. That is what I meant.”
When asked about the Tamil Nadu polls campaign coming to an end this evening and how it is going for Congress and the DMK, Kharge said, “It is going well. I am receiving reports from many people, both at night and in the morning. Based on these, we are confident of forming the government.”
When asked why Rahul Gandhi and CM Stalin are not sharing the stage in this (Tamil Nadu) election, Kharge said, “It is not like that. Everyone is campaigning as planned. I am covering one area, Rahul Gandhi is covering another, and Stalin is campaigning elsewhere. Wherever we go, we are presenting our views in a united manner. We are united, there is no question of any division. You cannot assume division just because Rahul Gandhi has not attended a particular meeting. He has been campaigning wherever necessary. I have also campaigned, and our general secretaries are traveling across different places as well. So there is no such issue. We are unitedly fighting the election, and we will win.”
Sambit Patra says this reflects Congress party's mindset
On Kharge's statement, BJP MP Sambit Patra says, "... This is not only condemnable but also reflects the Congress party's mindset. This is no slip of tongue. Even if he is offering any explanation, remember this is a deliberate conspiracy by the Congress party... Every day, Rahul Gandhi uses abusive language against the Prime Minister in his speeches, and today, at Rahul's behest, Mallikarjun Kharge called the Prime Minister a terrorist. This is the same Congress party that calls Osama bin Laden 'Osama ji'. This is the same Congress party that is seen standing with major terrorists, yet calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terrorist. This is the same Congress party that calls Zakir Naik an apostle of peace... The Congress party should remember that whenever the Congress party has abused the Prime Minister, the people of India have punished it. This time too, the people of India will give a reply."
Also Read:
We are not against women's reservation, but oppose the way govt bringing bills: Mallikarjun Kharge
