The Election Commission has issued a notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking his response within 24 hours over a remark in which he is alleged to have referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist”.
The controversy stems from a campaign event held in Chennai ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, after which Kharge, while speaking to reporters, was reported to have made the comment. The statement triggered sharp reactions and condemnation from several quarters, including Union ministers.
Kharge later offered a clarification, saying he did not use the term in a literal sense. He argued that he was referring to what he described as misuse of power and intimidation of opposition parties and democratic institutions.
Following the episode, BJP leaders led by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman submitted a complaint to the Election Commission in New Delhi, seeking action. After meeting Commission officials, Sitharaman alleged the remark was deliberate and inappropriate, and said it amounted to an insult to democratic norms.
Union ministers and BJP leaders, including Kiren Rijiju and Amit Shah, also demanded an apology, while the party reiterated that such comments demean the mandate of elected leadership.
