BJP Delegation Demands EC Action Over Kharge's 'Terrorist' Remark Against PM Modi
A high-level delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met with the Election Commission of India on Wednesday, lodging a formal complaint against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his controversial remarks labeling Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'terrorist'. The delegation, which included senior Union Ministers, demanded strict action against what they termed a gross violation of democratic norms and the Model Code of Conduct.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's Strong Condemnation
Addressing the media after the meeting, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju expressed severe disapproval of Kharge's statements. "No political party has ever touched that level of disrespect as Congress," Rijiju asserted. He emphasized that the delegation had formally requested the Election Commission to take "strict action" and insisted that Kharge apologize to the nation for his remarks.
Rijiju elaborated, "A high-level delegation, including senior ministers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, me, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal met with the Election Commission. We addressed the derogatory language used by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge against the Prime Minister. It is a national issue, a democratic issue. Calling the Prime Minister a terrorist is a crime."
He further stated, "No political party has ever used such abusive language against the Prime Minister. We have requested the Commission that if any political party in the country uses such language, it is not our party's or the government's business, but a despicable act against democracy and weakens it in many ways. We demanded that strict action must be taken and that Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress Party, apologize to the people of the country."
Election Commission's Response and BJP's Confidence
Rijiju confirmed that the Election Commission had listened to their concerns and assured them of appropriate action. "The Election Commission, after listening to us, has said that they will take appropriate action. We have full confidence in it," he noted. He also drew a sharp contrast, affirming, "The investigation that EC has to do is different. But the terrorist who fight against our country will be finished under the leadership of same PM Modi, who has been called a terrorist. The public will punish the Congress, as PM Modi will punish the terrorists."
Background: BJP's Formal Complaint and Kharge's Controversial Statement
This meeting followed a formal complaint filed by the BJP on Tuesday against Kharge, alleging that his remarks during a Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign constituted a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. In a post on social media platform X, Rijiju had described the statement as "shocking and disgraceful" and called for immediate action.
The controversy stems from Kharge's speech in Tamil Nadu, where he criticized the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP and labeled PM Modi as a 'terrorist who does not believe in equality'. He referenced historical figures like Periyar, Dr. Ambedkar, and Annadurai to underscore his point about principles of justice and equality.
Kharge's Clarification and Defense
When questioned about his choice of words, Kharge quickly clarified his statement, claiming he meant to convey that the Prime Minister was terrorizing political opponents rather than labeling him a terrorist. "He (PM Modi) 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 explained.
Despite this clarification, the BJP has maintained that the initial remark was damaging and unacceptable, arguing it has the potential to vitiate the electoral atmosphere and undermine civil discourse. The party highlighted that the remark has been widely circulated across digital and print media, amplifying its impact.
The incident underscores the intense political tensions as election campaigns unfold, with both parties leveraging strong rhetoric. The Election Commission's forthcoming decision on this matter is awaited, as it could set a precedent for handling similar allegations in the future.
