After Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge's 'poisonous snake' remark drew sharp criticism, the BJP on Friday filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (EC) against Kharge.
"Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge while addressing a rally in Kalaburagi, Karnataka today uttered a false, unverified and personal attacking statement that 'PM Modi is like a poisonous snake, you might think it's poison or not. If you lick it your death is certain'," the letter to the Chief Electoral Officer reads.
It further said that this is not the first time Kharge has resorted to 'name-calling'. "Last year, while campaigning in the Gujarat election, Kharge had called Modi a '100-head Ravan'...Entire nation is ashamed of his statement, Mr Kharge should have behaved in a responsible manner," the letter, signed by Shobha Karandlaje said.
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After rebuke from the BJP regarding his remarks, Kharge later told reporters he only said the BJP was like a snake, and that party's ideology is like a poison. "If you support that ideology and lick (try) it, death is certain," he said.
He also took to Twitter to clarify his remarks and issue an apology.
"BJP's ideology is divisive, hostile and full of hatred and prejudice towards the poor and Dalits. I discussed the politics of hatred and malice. My statement was neither for PM Modi personally nor for any other person but for the ideology he represents. Our fight with PM Modi is not a personal fight. It is an ideological battle. My intention was not to hurt anyone's feelings and if knowingly or unknowingly someone's feelings were hurt, then it was never my intention.," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
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The complaint against Kharge comes a day after Congress leaders from Karnataka filed a complaint against Union Home Minister Amit Shah for allegedly making provocative statements during political campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka.
He has been alleged of making provocative statements, promoting enmity and hatred and maligning opposition during his recent rallies in the state. "Union Home Minister has said that if Congress comes to power then there will be communal riots. How can he say this? We have filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India on this," a report quoted DK Shivakumar as having said.
