Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing him of making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleging that the Congress party is “hitting new lows” in political discourse.
The sharp criticism comes amid an escalating war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Congress. Shah said that the language used by Kharge reflects a pattern within the Congress of resorting to personal attacks rather than engaging in constructive debate on governance and policy issues.
Addressing party workers and speaking to the media, Shah described Kharge’s remarks as “unfortunate and condemnable,” adding that such statements undermine democratic values. He further claimed that repeated personal attacks on the Prime Minister show the Congress’s “frustration” over its declining political relevance.
The controversy erupted after Kharge made comments at a public rally that were interpreted by BJP leaders as highly offensive towards Prime Minister Modi. The BJP has strongly objected to the remarks, with several senior leaders demanding an apology and calling for strict action.
Shah asserted that the people of India expect a higher standard of political dialogue, especially from senior leaders holding constitutional positions or heading major political parties. He said that disagreements in a democracy should be expressed through policy criticism and debate, not through personal insults.
Meanwhile, Kharge has defended himself, stating that his remarks were taken out of context and misrepresented by political opponents. He clarified that he did not intend to insult the Prime Minister personally and instead accused the BJP of diverting attention from real issues.
Despite the clarification, BJP leaders have continued to press the issue, using it to target the Congress during ongoing election campaigning. The party has also raised the matter before the Election Commission of India, urging it to examine whether the remarks violate the Model Code of Conduct.
The exchange highlights the increasingly heated rhetoric in Indian politics as elections approach, with both sides intensifying their attacks. The issue is likely to remain a key talking point in the coming days, further sharpening the political divide between the BJP and the Congress.
