Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his remarks against Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, describing them as “shameful and unacceptable.”
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that Sarma used “highly inappropriate and insulting language” against Kharge, prompting a strong reaction from the Congress.
“The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has used highly inappropriate and insulting language towards Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, which is shameful and unacceptable,” she said.
Backing Kharge, she said he is among the most senior leaders in the country and represents not only the Congress but also Dalits and underprivileged communities.
“Kharge ji is among the most senior leaders in the country. He is not only a leader of the Congress party but also an enlightened representative of Dalits and the underprivileged across India,” she said, adding that any insult to him amounts to an insult to millions.
Intensifying her criticism, Priyanka Gandhi also sought clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “By insulting him, the BJP Chief Minister has insulted crores of people in the country. The Prime Minister should clarify before the nation whether he agrees with this insult to millions of Indians,” she said.
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions between the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, with frequent verbal exchanges between leaders of both parties. Kharge, a veteran Dalit leader and current Congress chief, has remained a central figure in national politics, particularly in his role as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.