Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a major controversy on Tuesday after he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” while attacking the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for aligning with the BJP.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Kharge questioned the AIADMK’s political decision and criticised its alliance with the BJP. He said, “How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won't believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy."

He also praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, positioning him as a leader who stands firm against the BJP. “You need leaders who will not bow before the BJP and will stand up and fight, that is MK Stalin. Today, AIADMK has lost its identity. It has become a silent-slave partner of the BJP. It cannot protect Tamil Nadu's interest, because it has become a slave of PM Modi,” Kharge added.

Clarification after backlash

Soon after his remarks drew criticism, Kharge issued a clarification. He said he did not intend to label the prime minister as a “terrorist,” but meant that Modi “always terrorises” people and political opponents.

“He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist...What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands,” he said.

Allegations over Model Code violation

Kharge also accused the prime minister of violating the Model Code of Conduct. He claimed that Modi addressed the nation after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 failed in Parliament, which he said was inappropriate during an election period.

He further alleged that the Election Commission of India was acting in favour of the BJP. “The violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the Prime Minister in the middle of the election is completely unacceptable. The Election Commission has acted like an extension of the BJP’s office. First, we saw alleged manipulation of voter lists, then the SIR issue, and now there were attempts to control delimitation—which we opposed,” Kharge said.

Questions on Women’s Reservation Bill

The Congress chief also questioned why the government did not implement the bill earlier when it was passed in 2023. He pointed out that Modi had thanked the opposition at that time but is now accusing Congress of not supporting the legislation.

“Unfortunately, Modi is presenting a different narrative. He claims that, instead of opposing the failed delimitation bill, the party is opposing the Women’s Reservation Bill. This is not true. The Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, and we fully supported it. At the time, he even thanked us for that support.”

Kharge explained that Congress had only demanded immediate implementation of the bill using the existing strength of 543 Lok Sabha seats. However, he said the government delayed it, citing the need for a fresh census and delimitation exercise.

“We had only asked that, since the bill was passed, it should be implemented immediately using the existing strength of 543 seats. However, he said that implementation was not possible because the census had not been completed and delimitation had not been carried out. He stated that it would be implemented only after both processes were finished,” he added.

BJP hits back sharply

The BJP reacted quickly to Kharge’s remarks. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the Congress and accused it of repeatedly insulting the prime minister.

Posting on X, Poonawalla wrote, “Afzal Yakub & Naxals are innocent. But for Congress - Chaiwala OBC PM is terrorist, RSS is poisonous snake, Sanatan is Disease. This is Cong ki Sanvidhan virodhi Nafrati dukaan.They are giving clean chit to Jihad & abusing elected PM. 175 abuses so far.”