NEW DELHI, Apr 22: Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday termed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s “terrorist” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi “unfortunate” and said this episode has unmasked the party’s way of functioning, character and face before the people of the country.
“It is unfortunate. I feel the politics of spreading hatred that Rahul Gandhi follows, and the political tradition that he has started, to bring such malice in the country, to create such false narratives, its impact is happening on the people on the lower rung of the party too,” Shekhawat claimed.
He further said this has unmasked Congress’s way of functioning, character and face — “‘chal’, ‘charita’, ‘chehra'”, before the people of the country.
During a press conference in poll-bound Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, Kharge initially referred to the prime minister as a “terrorist” while criticising the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP.
However, when pressed by reporters to clarify the context of the remark, the Congress chief said he meant the prime minister was “terrorising” the democratic fabric of the country.
“He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). He is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing and maligning opposition parties,” Kharge had said.
His comment has sparked a row and the ruling BJP has taken an exception to it.
The Election Commission on Wednesday took “serious note” of Kharge calling Modi a “terrorist” and issued him with a “stern notice”, officials said.
He has been asked to explain his stand within 24 hours, they said.
The notice comes a day before polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. (PTI)
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