Bidar (Karnataka), April 22 Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan took a dig at Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday, saying that he appears unable to distinguish between terrorists and "terror to the terrorists".
His remarks came amid a growing political controversy triggered by Kharge's recent statement referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist", which has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP.
Speaking at the Amrit Mahotsava celebration of Dr Basavalinga Pattadevaru Mahaswamiji of Hiremath Samsthan at Sri Channabasavashram in Karnataka's Bidar, the Vice President made the comment in Kharge's presence.
"I get a little difference between our Kharge ji... Sometimes I feel Kharge ji does not differentiate between the black and white, sometimes between the terrorists and the terror to terrorists. Otherwise, I have no problem; he is a very good friend of mine," VP Radhakrishnan said.
The controversy erupted after Kharge, while attacking AIADMK's alliance with the BJP ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, referred to PM Modi as a "terrorist" during a press conference. He later clarified that he meant the Prime Minister was "terrorising people and political parties" and not that he was a terrorist.
However, the BJP launched a scathing attack on Kharge, calling it a "grave insult" to the mandate of the country's 140 crore people.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda hit out at the Congress chief and said the people will give a "befitting response" to the party.
"The use of the word 'terrorist' by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is a grave insult to the mandate of 140 crore countrymen," Nadda said on X.
"The issue-less and vision-less Congress has gone berserk out of fear of the impending defeat in the upcoming elections in five states. In its attempt to snatch away women's rights, it is facing the wrath of the public across the country; irked by its eroding mass base, Congress leaders are unable to digest the continuously rising popularity of Prime Minister Modi Ji," he said.
Condemning Kharge's remarks, the Union Minister said, "The shameful and derogatory language used by the Congress President against Prime Minister Modi Ji cannot be condemned enough, no matter how strongly it is denounced."
Earlier on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, slammed Kharge and accused Congress of repeatedly lowering the standards of public discourse.
He wrote that Kharge had "breached every standard of public conduct and brought shame to the nation" by calling the elected Prime Minister a terrorist.
HM Shah emphasised that PM Modi had curbed terrorism over the past 12 years and described the remark as highly condemnable.
He added that every time Congress hurls abuses at PM Modi, the people of India respond, and this time too, the public will give its answer.
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