Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: BJP Tuesday urged EC to initiate “suitable penal action” against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for calling PM Narendra Modi a “terrorist”, arguing that the remark was among the “gravest possible imputations in public life”.“This is not just derogatory, it is a dangerous and unprecedented attack on democratic institutions and a blatant violation of the MCC. Immediate action is non-negotiable,” BJP said in its complaint. Union minister Kiren Rijiju and other functionaries asked EC to consider registering an FIR against Kharge for making a “false and defamatory statement” and violating the poll code.BJP president Nitin Na-bin said Kharge had insulted the mandate of 140 crore Indians who elected Modi thrice.As the row intensified, Kharge clarified his Chennai remark, saying he meant Modi was “terrorising” people and political parties.Nabin linked the comment to Congress’s attempt to divert attention from political issues, while Piyush Goyal said the Congress-DMK alliance had insulted Indians by targeting the PM.Union minister Dharmender Pradhan said the remark reflected Kharge’s “values”. BJP cited a pattern, pointing to Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks in LS and Kharge’s earlier controversial statements that had drawn backlash.
