NEW DELHI: A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders met with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, seeking stringent action against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for his alleged use of the word “terrorist” in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the delegation, which included Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju, alongside Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, presented a memorandum to the poll panel detailing their concerns.
During a press briefing following the meeting, Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the Congress president’s remark was “condemnable” and constituted an “insult to the mandate given by the people of India.” She accused the Congress of being “frustrated” and harbouring “deep hatred” towards Prime Minister Modi, leading to such statements amidst ongoing assembly elections.
Sitharaman added that the BJP had requested the Election Commission to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and to act “firmly and sternly.” The delegation sought punitive measures against Kharge and a directive for both him and the Congress party to tender a public apology to the nation.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described Kharge’s statement as a “disgusting act” and emphasized the demand for the “strictest action.” He expressed hope that the Election Commission would take action that would deter anyone from making similar remarks against the Prime Minister in the future, ensuring that a lesson is learned by all.
The BJP’s memorandum to the Election Commission reportedly urged immediate cognizance of Kharge’s statement and demanded that the Congress president issue a public apology. The party also called for “suitable penal and regulatory proceedings” against Kharge under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and for “appropriate campaign restrictions” to be imposed on him.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Mallikarjun Kharge during a press conference in Chennai, where he reportedly criticized the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP and referred to the Prime Minister. Sources indicate that when pressed by reporters for clarification, Kharge elaborated that his intention was to convey that the Prime Minister was “terrorising” the democratic fabric of the country by allegedly misusing government machinery and central agencies to suppress opposition parties.
The Congress president clarified that he did not mean to call the Prime Minister a “terrorist” in a literal sense but was highlighting the alleged misuse of power and authority against political opponents.
The Election Commission reportedly gave a patient hearing to the BJP delegation and assured them that “appropriate action” would be taken in the matter.
The Chenab Times News Desk