Kharge gets EC’s notice over ‘terrorist’ remark against PM

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju (in pink), along with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, met the Election Commission on Wednesday

The Election Commission on Wednesday took "serious note" of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist" and issued him with a "stern notice", officials said. He has been asked to explain his stand within 24 hours, they said.

The move comes after a BJP delegation comprising Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, approached the Election Commission earlier in the day, demanding "strictest action" against the Congress president.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. PIC/PTI

Sitharaman said, "Today, we appeared before the full commission to bring to its notice that no less a person than the president of the Congress and the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha has spoken in such condemnable words."

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was also part of the delegation, termed the remark a "disgusting act" by Kharge. "We have demanded the strictest action. We have also demanded that Kharge and the Congress be directed to apologise to the country," Rijiju told reporters.

Kharge on Tuesday accused PM Modi of "terrorising" political parties by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition, triggering strong reactions from the BJP, which attacked the opposition leader for calling Modi a "terrorist".

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