BJP Demands Action from Election Commission Against Congress Chief Kharge for ‘Terrorist’ Remark on PM Modi

The political landscape in India is heating up as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally requested the Election Commission to take stringent measures against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. This follows Kharge’s controversial statement categorizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘terrorist’ during his campaign in Chennai for the Tamil Nadu elections.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Congress leader criticized the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for aligning with the BJP, questioning how the party could join forces with Modi, whom he labeled as a terrorist. This comment drew immediate backlash from the ruling party, leading to calls for action from the Election Commission. The Tamil Nadu elections are set to take place on Thursday, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.

In a bid to clarify his remarks, Kharge later explained that his comment was not a direct accusation against the Prime Minister but rather a description of the oppressive tactics he believes the government employs against opposition parties. He elaborated, stating that he referred to ‘tax terrorism’ in the context of the aggressive actions taken by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, the Income Tax Department, and the Central Bureau of Investigation against political adversaries.

Kharge’s assertion was that Modi’s administration is instilling fear within the ranks of opposition leaders through raids and other means that he claims aim to stifle dissent and manipulate electoral outcomes. “This terrorism is being facilitated by the Prime Minister. I did not call him a terrorist… he is scaring people,” Kharge remarked in an interview, urging the public to recognize the broader implications of such government actions.

Responding to these accusations, a delegation from the BJP, which included prominent leaders such as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, convened with the Election Commission. Sitharaman, addressing the media after the meeting, emphasized the gravity of Kharge’s statement, underscoring the need for the Election Commission to act decisively in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. The BJP’s request highlights the ongoing tensions between the two major political parties as both prepare for the upcoming elections, each accusing the other of undermining democratic values.

Source: scroll.in