Karnataka Assembly elections | Kharge likens PM Modi to ‘poisonous snake’, later clarifies as BJP hits out

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a snake, which would mean death at an election rally in Gadag district on Thursday only to clarify a little later in the day that his words were meant for BJP not Modi.

April 27, 2023 05:21 pm | Updated May 14, 2023 10:49 am IST - HUBBALLI:

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge speaks during a public meeting ahead of Karnataka Assembly elections, at Ron in Gadag district on April 27, 2023.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge speaks during a public meeting ahead of Karnataka Assembly elections, at Ron in Gadag district on April 27, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a snake at an election rally in Gadag district on Thursday but clarified later in the day that his words were aimed at BJP and not Mr. Modi.

Addressing an election rally at Naregal in Gadag district on Thursday, Mr. Kharge said Mr. Modi was like a poisonous snake. ”If you try test whether it is poisonous or not, you will die,” he said.

However, later in the day, as BJP leaders took serious objection to his statement, addressing another rally in Ron in Gadag district, Mr. Kharge clarified that his words were not intended at Mr. Modi but BJP.

People of Karnataka will give befitting reply to Congress: Shobha Karandlaje on Kharge’s statement | Video Credit: ANI

“What I meant was BJP is like a poisonous snake. Even if someone tastes it, death is certain. These words were not meant for Mr. Modi. Personally I don’t have any grudge against any individual,“ he said.

Corruption issue

“BJP is mired in corruption. But if anyone questioned it he or she would be threatened with IT ED raids. That’s why Modi Government is like a snake,” he clarified.

Mocking Mr. Modi on his stance on corruption, Mr. Kharge said at the Naregal rally, “He [Mr. Modi] says ‘na khaoonga na khane doonga’’. But he does politics by allowing those taking 40% commission to sit beside him. He has come to destroy the nation by his ideology.”

He further said, “When the Opposition questioned the government, they spoke about his 56-inch chest. We are not checking his physique. We are measuring his works,“ he said.

Top News Today

Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.