Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge triggered a major political controversy on Tuesday after using the word “terrorist” while referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press conference. The remark was made in the context of questioning the AIADMK’s decision to ally with the BJP for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections, but it quickly drew strong reactions from the ruling party.

During his remarks, Kharge criticised the alliance between AIADMK and BJP, arguing that it went against the ideological foundations of leaders like Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar, and B.R. Ambedkar. It was in this line of criticism that he used the controversial term for the Prime Minister, prompting immediate backlash from the BJP and clarification demands from the media.

Facing questions over his statement, Kharge later clarified that he did not intend to call the Prime Minister a terrorist in the literal sense. He said his remarks were meant to indicate that PM Modi “terrorises people and political parties,” alleging that central agencies such as the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department are being misused to pressure opposition leaders. He reiterated that his comment was about alleged political intimidation rather than a personal label.

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The clarification, however, did little to reduce the political fallout. The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemned the statement, with spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accusing the Congress of using abusive and “venomous” language against the Prime Minister. He described the party as an “Urban Naxal” outfit and alleged that such rhetoric reflects deeper ideological extremism within the opposition.

Union ministers also reacted sharply, with Piyush Goyal demanding an apology from the Congress leadership. He said the remarks insulted not only the Prime Minister but also the democratic mandate given by voters. Goyal further accused the Congress and DMK of disrespecting the electorate and attempting to undermine public trust in democratic institutions. The incident has added fresh intensity to the ongoing political exchange between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, particularly as election-related campaigning gains momentum in Tamil Nadu and other states.

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