Kharge fires back at Modi over 'Dimaagi Naxal' jibe, demands debate on vote theft
Synopsis
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's X post on 4 November escalated a multi-front political confrontation: calling the 'Dimaagi Naxal' label a deflection from vote-theft allegations, demanding Modi face an open debate, accusing Amit Shah of incompetence over the infiltrator claim, and charging the ECI with five U-turns on electoral roll revision — all while Parliament's last session remains un-prorogued after 83 days.
Key Takeaways
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called PM Narendra Modi's 'Dimaagi Naxal' label a 'flop line' designed to avoid questions on alleged Vote Chori and foreign influence.
Kharge accused Home Minister Amit Shah of incompetence over his claim that three crore voters are infiltrators, calling for his dismissal.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) was accused of taking five U-turns on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The last Parliament session has not been prorogued for 83 days , according to Kharge, who linked the special session push to Opposition's 'Vote Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan .
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged Rahul Gandhi to debate in Parliament rather than on social media, backing Shah's offer for a special session on EVMs and SIR.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday, 4 November launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of recycling the 'Dimaagi Naxal' label to dodge substantive questions about alleged vote theft and foreign influence in India's electoral process. Kharge's broadside came a day after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi renewed his open debate challenge to the Prime Minister.
Kharge's Direct Challenge to Modi
In a post on social media platform X, Kharge said: 'PM Modi is parroting his flop line of Dimaagi Naxal! He has NO answer on Vote Chori and the open challenge by Shri Rahul Gandhi to discuss how he mortgaged Indian interests to foreign powers.' Kharge also called on the Prime Minister to face an open press conference and participate in a structured debate, noting that Modi had not held a single open press conference during his tenure.
'You don't come to Parliament. You have not held a SINGLE OPEN PRESS CONFERENCE. It is time you came for a DEBATE. Come forward, face questions. Tell the nation why you indulged in VOTE CHORI,' Kharge said.
Attack on Home Minister Amit Shah
Kharge also turned his fire on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, targeting Shah's remarks that three crore voters were infiltrators. Kharge questioned why Shah, as Home Minister for several years, had allegedly allowed the entry of people he now describes as illegal. 'Shah is telling us three crore voters are Ghushpaithiya! What was he doing as Home Minister for years, letting illegal people enter India? He should be sacked for his incompetence,' Kharge said.
ECI's Five U-Turns on Electoral Roll Revision
The Congress president also accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of repeatedly reversing its position on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. 'The ECI has taken five U-turns on SIR. This includes a complete change of Form 6, which was termed as illegal by fellow Election Commissioners! Why?' he said. The allegation adds to a growing list of institutional accountability questions being raised by the Opposition ahead of a possible special Parliament session.
Parliament Prorogation Row and 'Vote Bachao' Rally
Kharge raised concerns over the functioning of Parliament, noting that the last session had not been prorogued for 83 days. He alleged that the government's push to convene a special session was directly triggered by Opposition pressure, including the 'Vote Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan and what he described as the public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 'The last session of Parliament has not been prorogued for 83 days and counting. The public impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the massive Vote Bachao Ramlila Maidan rally have rattled Modiji-Shah,' he said.
Government Hits Back: Sitharaman Counters Gandhi
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to Rahul Gandhi's debate challenge, criticising him for allegedly disrespecting institutions and urging him to bring his arguments to Parliament rather than issue challenges on social media. Sitharaman also pointed to Home Minister Shah's offer to convene a special session to discuss the SIR and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), questioning why Gandhi had not shown equivalent enthusiasm for a parliamentary debate. The exchange signals that the confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress is likely to intensify as the next session approaches.
Point of View
The government's counter — that Gandhi should debate in Parliament rather than on X — sidesteps why that session remains unprorogued.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Dimaagi Naxal' controversy?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the phrase 'Dimaagi Naxal' to describe what he characterised as ideological opponents. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on X on 4 November, called it a 'flop line' used to avoid answering allegations of vote theft and foreign influence on India's electoral system.
What is the Congress party's 'Vote Chori' allegation?
The Congress has alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and voting processes, referring to it as 'Vote Chori' (vote theft). Rahul Gandhi has challenged Prime Minister Modi to an open debate on the issue, and Kharge has reiterated that the government has offered no substantive response to these charges.
Why is the Election Commission under criticism?
Congress President Kharge accused the ECI of making five reversals on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including a complete change to Form 6 that was reportedly described as 'illegal' by fellow Election Commissioners. The Opposition has raised these as evidence of institutional inconsistency ahead of elections.
What is the significance of Parliament not being prorogued for 83 days?
Kharge alleged that Parliament's last session had not been prorogued for 83 days, an unusually long gap that he linked to the government's reluctance to face scrutiny. He further claimed that the push for a special session came only after the Opposition's 'Vote Bachao' rally and the public pressure surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
How has the government responded to the debate challenge?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rejected Rahul Gandhi's social-media debate challenge, saying he was disrespecting institutions. She pointed to Home Minister Amit Shah's offer for a special Parliament session to discuss the SIR and EVMs, and asked why Gandhi had not embraced that forum for the debate instead.
