Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress party at a rally in Bengaluru on Sunday, labeling it a 'parasite and backstabber' and accusing it of betraying its decades-old ally DMK in Tamil Nadu, miring Karnataka in a leadership tussle, and failing to pick a chief ministerial face in Kerala despite winning a majority.
Modi's Sharp Critique of Congress
'They attack the Constitution, democracy, constitutional institutions and courts. In my public life, I have never seen a political party behave like this,' Modi said, referring to Congress's alleged undermining of democratic norms.
Karnataka's Internal Fights
Turning to Karnataka, Modi accused the Congress government of spending most of its three years dealing with internal fights between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar instead of solving people's problems. 'They are still undecided on how long the CM will remain or whether another will get a chance,' he said, highlighting the lack of clarity in leadership.
Betrayal of DMK in Tamil Nadu
Modi recounted what he called Congress's betrayal of the DMK. 'DMK stood with Congress for decades and repeatedly rescued Congress during crises. The UPA government survived because of DMK's support. But the moment political equations shifted, power-hungry Congress stabbed DMK,' he said. He added that Congress is now 'searching for another party to ride on,' alluding to its backing of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Kerala CM Face Issue
Modi likened the situation in Kerala, where Congress has yet to finalize a chief ministerial candidate among three contenders, to the 'Karnataka model of CM seat sharing.' 'Whether it is a two-and-a-half-year sharing formula or one CM for each year, there is no clarity,' the PM said, criticizing Congress's indecisiveness.
Women's Reservation Bill
Modi also accused Congress of refusing to support the women's reservation bill in Parliament. 'Had the amendment been implemented immediately, Karnataka's representation in Parliament would have increased significantly, and many more women from Karnataka would have become MLAs and MPs. The women of this country will never forgive Congress,' he said.
About the Author
Pearl D'Souza is a principal correspondent at The Times of India, having dedicated nine years to journalism. She covers health, along with a wide range of other topics. She is particularly focused on the rapidly evolving health sector, with special emphasis on public health infrastructure. Her reporting spans education, science, technology, and food. She was certified as a Climate Correspondent by the Fulbright-Hays Public Diplomacy Program, organized by the US Mission India in 2024, and is a 2025 candidate for the United Nations's RAF Memorial Journalism Fellowship.
