Congress steps up attack on Himanta Sarma, seeks unconditional apology over Kharge remark

The Congress on Tuesday intensified its attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his reported remarks aimed at party president Mallikarjun Kharge, terming the language used as “deeply problematic” and calling for an unconditional apology.

Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal, in a post on X, said Sarma’s comments where he allegedly asked “Kaun hai Kharge?” and used derogatory expressions showed a lack of respect and suggested that the chief minister was “flabbergasted.”

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“Himanta Biswa Sarma asking ‘Kaun hai Kharge?’ and using street insults like ‘paagal’ is deeply problematic and shows how flabbergasted he is,” Venugopal said.

He further described the remarks as “deplorable conduct” and urged Sarma to apologise, noting that Kharge is “one of the tallest leaders in our country who hails from the most humble backgrounds.”

Stepping up the criticism, Venugopal alleged that the Assam chief minister’s statements were driven by political pressure. “We all know how rattled he is because of the grave corruption allegations against him, and how he leaves no stone unturned to use the most pathetic language to spread hatred,” he said.

He added that such rhetoric reflects a mindset that the Congress rejects, reiterating the demand for an unconditional apology. “It is this mindset that we reject, and we demand an unconditional apology from him for this statement,” he said.

The remarks come amid an ongoing political tussle between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership in Assam, with exchanges growing sharper as key electoral battles approach.