Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has been served a show-cause notice by the Election Commission of India over his controversial remark allegedly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist,” triggering a major political row amid the ongoing election season.
The poll body took “serious note” of Kharge’s statement made during a campaign speech and said the remark appeared to violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), particularly guidelines requiring dignity and restraint in public discourse. The Commission has asked Kharge to submit his explanation within 24 hours, warning that failure to respond could lead to further action.
The controversy erupted after Kharge’s speech in Tamil Nadu, where he criticized political alliances involving the BJP. His remarks drew sharp criticism from the ruling party, which filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission, alleging “derogatory” language and demanding strict action.
Responding to the notice, Kharge struck a defiant tone, saying, “Notice aane do… reply hamare log denge” (Let the notice come, our people will respond). He indicated that the Congress party would officially reply to the Commission’s query.
Amid the backlash, Kharge also attempted to clarify his statement, saying he did not literally call the Prime Minister a terrorist but was referring to what he described as “terrorising” political opponents through agencies and actions. His clarification, however, did little to calm the political storm.
The issue has intensified political tensions, with senior BJP leaders condemning the remark as “atrocious” and reflective of deteriorating political discourse. The controversy comes at a sensitive time, as multiple states head into elections and campaign rhetoric continues to escalate.
The Election Commission’s intervention highlights its efforts to enforce campaign standards and maintain civility in political speeches. Whether Kharge’s explanation satisfies the Commission or leads to further action remains to be seen, but the episode has already added fuel to an already heated electoral battle.
