As the BJP stepped up its attack on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his ‘terrorist’ remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by complaining to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the poll watchdog on Wednesday took a “serious note” by issuing “stern notice”. Kharge has been asked to explain his stand within 24 hours. The notice comes a day before polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Kharge on Tuesday accused PM Modi of “terrorising” political parties by misusing Government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition, triggering strong reactions from the BJP, which attacked the opposition leader for calling Modi a “terrorist”. Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Kharge initially referred to the prime minister as a “terrorist” while criticising the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP and later on clarified that he meant that Modi was terrorising the political parties.
“He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this… he is misusing his power and Government machinery and abusing, maligning opposition parties,” Kharge said.