Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has sparked a political controversy after making sharp remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press conference in Chennai. His comments came in the context of AIADMK aligning with the BJP-led NDA alliance, drawing strong reactions from the political establishment.
Kharge questioned AIADMK’s decision to join hands with the NDA, stating that the party was aligning with a political force that does not believe in equality or justice. His remarks, in which he allegedly referred to the Prime Minister in strong terms, quickly went viral on social media and triggered a heated political debate.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "How can they (AIADMK) join with Modi? He is a terrorist. And he who won't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining with them, it means that they are… pic.twitter.com/qymq7H54Z7
— IANS (@ians_india) April 21, 2026
The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemned Kharge’s statements, demanding an immediate apology from the Congress leader to Prime Minister Modi. BJP leaders accused him of using inappropriate language and escalating political tensions ahead of the elections.
Following the backlash, Kharge issued a clarification, stating that he did not call the Prime Minister a terrorist. He explained that his comments were intended to convey that Modi “creates fear among people” and reiterated his allegations regarding the misuse of central investigative agencies. The remarks come as campaigning intensifies ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.