K’taka BJP slams Kharge over ‘terrorist’ remark against PM Modi, alleges ‘toxic mindset’​

Bengaluru, April 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party State President and Member of Legislative Assembly B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday strongly condemned All India Congress Committee President Mallikarjun Kharge for his reported remark referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist”, calling it “deeply derogatory” and reflective of a “toxic mindset”.​

In a statement, Vijayendra said the comment was not only an expression of arrogance but also an insult to the millions of Indians who have repeatedly elected PM Modi to office.

He said the people of India have reposed unwavering faith in PM Modi’s leadership and have elected him to a third consecutive term, adding that insulting him in such a manner is equivalent to insulting the people's mandate.​

He alleged that such remarks have become a pattern for Congress leaders during elections. He said Congress leaders have made it a habit to use low-level language during elections, and the people have consistently taught them a lesson, yet they fail to introspect.​

Highlighting PM Modi’s global standing, Vijayendra said the Prime Minister is widely recognised as a prominent international leader.

He noted that several countries have honoured PM Modi with their highest civilian awards, reflecting global appreciation of his leadership.​

He said that, at a time when the world looks at India with pride, making such derogatory statements purely out of political hostility reflects frustration and a narrow mindset.​

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also criticised Kharge’s conduct as unbecoming of a senior leader, alleging that such statements were driven by political compulsions.

He urged Kharge to apologise for the remark, stating that the public would not accept such language in democratic discourse.​

Vijayendra alleged that Kharge had used “derogatory language” against the Prime Minister and termed it reflective of the Congress party’s “desperation” after repeated electoral setbacks. He said such remarks indicated that the party had little to offer politically.​

Highlighting PM Modi’s electoral victories, Vijayendra noted that he has been elected to the top post three consecutive times in 2014, 2019, and 2024, which, he said, reflects the continued mandate and support of the people. In contrast, he criticised the Congress for what he described as its declining electoral performance over the past decade.​

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader further alleged that, under Kharge’s leadership, the Congress has been losing relevance across states and claimed that the party is struggling to regain political ground.

He also took aim at the party’s internal functioning, suggesting that Kharge’s statements were influenced by the party’s central leadership.​

Vijayendra said that such comments by senior leaders undermine democratic norms and would ultimately harm the Congress politically.

He added that the party’s strategy of criticism and personal attacks would not resonate with voters, asserting that similar approaches had led to its decline in several states.​

It can be noted that the Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, triggered a major political controversy on Tuesday after referring to PM Modi as a “terrorist” during a press conference, before later clarifying that he meant the Prime Minister was “terrorising people and political parties” and not that he was a terrorist.

Later, he issued a clarification that he never said PM Modi is a “terrorist”.​

Source: IANS