Election Commission Issues Notice to Mallikarjun Kharge Over Controversial "Terrorist" Remark Against PM Modi

While criticizing the political alliance between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kharge questioned how those who display the photo of Annadurai could join Modi. He asserted that the Prime Minister is a terrorist whose party does not believe in equality or justice, further claiming that those joining forces with them are weakening democracy. This rhetorical escalation immediately ignited a political firestorm, prompting a clarification from the Congress President shortly thereafter. Kharge later sought to refine his comments, stating he intended to convey that the Prime Minister was “terrorising” people and political parties through the use of institutions like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax (I-T) department, and the CBI. He maintained that he never called him a terrorist in a literal sense but meant that Modi always threatens and intends to take delimitation into his hands.

The backlash from the ruling dispensation has been swift and severe as calls for an apology intensify across the political spectrum. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal led the charge of criticism, labeling the remark from a National President of the Congress as unacceptable and demanding a formal apology. As the Election Commission’s deadline looms, the incident stands as a significant flashpoint in the electoral narrative, highlighting the volatile nature of political discourse and the tightening regulatory oversight on leadership rhetoric during active campaign cycles.