Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, sparked controversy after referring to Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” during a press conference, before later clarifying that he meant the Prime Minister was “terrorising people and political parties.”
The remarks came as Kharge criticised the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Modi Is A Terrorist
“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, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar, Kaliagnar, Baba Saheb Ambedkar,” Kharge said.
He further asserted that the Congress-DMK alliance would continue its governance approach, stating, “The Congress-DMK alliance will continue to deliver welfare, inclusive growth, quality, education, accessible healthcare.”
The Congress leader’s comments followed remarks by Prime Minister Modi, who, in a recent address to the nation, accused the Congress and other opposition parties of committing “foeticide” by defeating a bill on women’s reservation in Parliament and state assemblies.
When asked by reporters to clarify his earlier statement, Kharge said, “No, no,” before elaborating on his intent.
“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. Therefore I said , in that context, he is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist,” Kharge said.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, “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… pic.twitter.com/znLvE7hutP
— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2026
This is not the first time Kharge has spoken derogatorily of PM Modi. Let us take a look at the past instances of such behaviour.
Modi Is A Poisonous Snake
In April 2023, amid an intense campaign for the Karnataka Assembly elections, Mallikarjun Kharge likened Narendra Modi to a “poisonous snake”. Speaking at the meeting he said, “Modi is like a poisonous snake, you might think it is poison or not. But if you lick it, you are dead.”
Kharge made the remarks during a public address in Kalaburagi. As the controversy escalated, he later issued a clarification stating that his comment was not directed at Prime Minister Modi personally but at the BJP and its ideology.
In a tweet, Mr Kharge said, “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 added.
“Nor has it been the conduct of my long political life. I have always followed the norms and traditions of political correctness towards friends and opponents and will do so till the last breath of my life. I don’t make fun of individuals and their problems like people in high positions,” the Congress national president said in another tweet.
“I have also seen and suffered the pain and suffering of the poor and downtrodden. For five decades, I have always been opposed to the divisive ideology of the BJP and RSS and their leaders. My political fight was, is and always will be against his politics,” he added.
Modi Has 100 Heads Like Ravan
In November 2022, days after Narendra Modi responded to a Congress leader’s “aukat” remark, Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the Prime Minister with a “Ravan” reference during the Gujarat election campaign.
Kharge made the remarks while addressing a rally in Ahmedabad ahead of the upcoming state polls, drawing reactions from political opponents and renewed attention to the tone of campaign rhetoric.
“Modi ji is Prime Minister. Forgetting his work, he keeps campaigning in corporation elections, MLA elections, MP elections, everywhere… All the time he’s talking about himself – ‘You don’t have to see anyone else, just look at Modi and vote’. How many times do we see your face? How many forms do you have? Do you have 100 heads like Ravan?” Kharge said, drawing laughter and applause from his audience.
The Congress chief also criticised what he described as the party’s reliance on the Prime Minister’s image across elections, questioning the practice of seeking votes in his name.
“I’ve been seeing that votes are sought in the name of Modiji, be it municipality elections, corporation elections or state elections…Ask for votes in the name of the candidate. Is Modi going to come and work at the municipality? Is he going to help you in times of your need,” Kharge asked.
मोदी जी प्रधानमंत्री हैं। वह काम छोड़कर नगर निगम का चुनाव, MLA का चुनाव, MP के चुनाव में प्रचार करते रहते हैं।
हर वक्त अपनी ही बात करते हैं – ‘आप किसी को मत देखो, मोदी को देखकर वोट दो।’
आपकी सूरत कितनी बार देखें? आपके कितने रूप हैं? क्या रावण की तरह 100 मुख हैं?
– @kharge जी pic.twitter.com/Iy6hYQfuhc
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 29, 2022
Will Outlive Modi
In September/October 2024, Kharge drew political attention with remarks made during a rally in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, where he said he would not die before Narendra Modi is removed from office.
The Congress president made the statement shortly after experiencing a brief bout of dizziness while addressing the gathering. He received medical assistance on stage before continuing his speech.
At the rally, Kharge reiterated the Congress party’s position on the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and accused the Centre of delaying elections and governing the region through “remote control.”
“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,” he said.
Modi Lives In History
In February 2025, Kharge launched a sharp attack on Narendra Modi following his address in the Rajya Sabha, accusing him of focusing on historical narratives and political attacks rather than present-day issues.
Kharge, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, criticised the Prime Minister’s speech in a detailed post on X, questioning his approach to governance and policy priorities.
“How can a person who just lives in history build the present and the future? In the hands of this government, the country’s future is dark,” Kharge said.
Modi Is A Liar
In June 2025, Kharge accused PM Modi of repeatedly misleading the public and avoiding accountability on key national issues.
Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi as the Prime Minister completed 11 years in office, Kharge alleged that Modi had failed to deliver on promises and relied on deception to secure electoral support.
“I have been saying this in Parliament for a long time, and I have never seen a Prime Minister who lies so much, makes so many mistakes, traps people, deceives the youth, and takes votes by trapping people,” said the Congress president. “He has lied about everything, and not even one has been implemented.”
While Kharge has repeatedly issued clarifications framing his comments as critiques of ideology rather than individuals, the pattern has continued to draw strong reactions and controversy.
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