War of words between BJP and Congress over Kharge's 'will stay alive until Indian PM Modi is ousted' remark

New Delhi

A war of words has broken out between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India and the opposition Congress party. The reason- a remark made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Sunday, Kharge felt unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir's (J-K) Jasrota. The Union Territory (UT) is currently witnessing elections with the third and final phase of voting on Tuesday. The results of the elections will be declared on October 8.

What did Kharge say?

During the public meeting in Jasrota on Sunday, Kharge vowed to fight for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting he would remain active in politics until Prime Minister Modi was ousted from power.

Kharge’s remarks came amid criticism of the BJP-led government at the Centre for its handling of the Valley, particularly regarding the delay of elections.

“We will fight to restore statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power. I will listen to you. I will fight for you,” the Congress president said after he was provided medical assistance.

Kharge further alleged that the BJP was running J-K through a remote control. “These people never wanted to conduct elections. They only started preparing for elections after the Supreme Court’s order,”  he said.

Condemning Modi's governance, Kharge said, "Modiji is shedding crocodile tears for the future of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir.” 

He also accused the BJP of failing to restore statehood despite having the authority to do so and criticised the ruling party for allowing outsiders to dominate critical sectors such as mining and liquor contracts.

Also read: BJP's Amit Shah slams Congress for 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at rallies; vows to ‘straighten’ Waqf Board law

Amit Shah reacts to Kharge's remark on Modi

In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reacted to Kharge's remarks on Modi. "Yesterday, the Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji has outperformed himself, his leaders and his party in being absolutely distasteful and disgraceful in his speech," Union Home Minister Shah said.

"In a bitter display of spite, he unnecessarily dragged PM Modi into his personal health matters by saying that he would die only after removing PM Modi from power. It just shows how much hate and fear these Congress people have of PM Modi, that they are thinking of him constantly," Shah added.

He also pointed out that as for the health of Kharge, "Modi Ji prays, I pray and we all pray that he lives a long, healthy life. May he continue to live for many years and may he live to see the creation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047."

Echoing Shah's remarks, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "The leadership of Congress never loses any opportunity to display their hate towards PM Modi. This speech of Mallikarjun Kharge is one such instance. We join in praying for the long life of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. We wish he lives to see Viksit Bharat 2047."

Congress hits back at Shah: Don't hate Modi but...

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera reacted to Amit Shah's post on X. Speaking to the news agency ANI, Khera said, "When will BJP understand that Congress does not hate PM Modi but loves the country? That's why we want the nation to be free from PM Modi and his ideology. Around 67% of the country also wants the same who did not vote in favour of him..."

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that Shah should focus on his work and also on the state of Manipur.

"It is in Rahul Gandhi's blood to sacrifice his life for the country. Amit Shah should tell us why the farmers in India are in debt. Why is the Swaminathan Report not being implemented?...," Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari told the news agency.

(With inputs from agencies)