Keeping up the pressure, a high-level BJP delegation comprising Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, and Arjun Ram Meghwal the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday over Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s “terrorist” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding strict action.
Rijiju said no political party had ever stooped to such a level of “disrespect” and asserted that Kharge should apologise to the nation. “It is a national and democratic issue. Calling the Prime Minister a terrorist is a crime. No political party has used such abusive language against a sitting PM,” he said, adding that the BJP had urged the EC to take stringent action.
Such remarks were not merely political but “despicable acts” that weaken democracy, he said, adding that the EC assured “appropriate action.”
“The investigation is the EC’s domain, but terrorists who fight against the country will be eliminated under the leadership of PM Modi—who has now been called a terrorist. The public will punish the Congress,” he also said
The controversy erupted days before polling in Tamil Nadu, when Kharge questioned the AIADMK’s alliance with PM Modi and referred to him as a “terrorist.”
The remark drew sharp reactions from the BJP, with leaders calling it a new low in political discourse. Amid the backlash, Kharge clarified that he did not mean the term literally but was referring to what he described as the Prime Minister’s political style—alleging that central agencies like the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate were used to “terrorise” opponents. He questioned how AIADMK could align with the BJP under such circumstances.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal accused Congress of insulting the “140 crore people” who elected Modi, while MP Sambit Patra said such remarks had always been met with strong responses from the public. Home Minister Amit Shah termed the comment “highly condemnable,” saying it insulted not only the Prime Minister but also millions who support him. “Every time Congress abuses Modi, it is the people of India who respond,” he said.
Historically, personal attacks on Modi have often backfired on the Congress.
In 2007, Sonia Gandhi’s “maut ka saudagar” remark was widely seen as helping Modi consolidate support in Gujarat. Mani Shankar Aiyar’s “neech aadmi” comment was reframed by the BJP as an insult to Modi’s humble background, while the 2019 “chowkidar chor hai” slogan triggered the BJP’s counter-campaign, “Main Bhi Chowkidar.”
Analysts say such remarks enable the BJP to frame criticism as an attack on a “self-made” leader or even the nation, strengthening a “victim narrative.” However, critics argue that these controversies divert attention from real issues like unemployment, inflation, and rural distress.