Congress Cries Foul After ECI Notices Kharge on 'Terrorist' Remark
Synopsis
The Election Commission noticed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over a 'terrorist' remark targeting PM Modi, prompting Congress to allege institutional misuse. Opposition leaders cite selective enforcement, caste bias, and a broader pattern of using central agencies to intimidate political rivals during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Key Takeaways
ECI issued a formal notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on April 23, 2024 , over his alleged 'terrorist' remark targeting PM Narendra Modi at a Chennai press conference .
Kharge clarified his statement was 'misinterpreted' , and the Congress party said a response to the notice would be filed.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar alleged that the ED, CBI , and other agencies are being used to intimidate the Opposition during the election season.
Senior Congress leader Udit Raj accused the BJP of a 'Manuvadi mindset' , linking the notice to Kharge's Dalit identity as Congress president.
Samajwadi Party leader S.
Hasan alleged selective enforcement by the ECI, pointing out no notices were issued for inflammatory remarks made in West Bengal .
The episode is the latest flashpoint in a broader Opposition vs. institutions battle during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections , with ECI impartiality under scrutiny.
New Delhi, April 23: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a formal notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his controversial 'terrorist' remark allegedly directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press conference in Chennai on Tuesday, April 22. The development has triggered a fierce political backlash, with the Congress party accusing the ruling BJP of weaponising central agencies and constitutional bodies to intimidate the Opposition ahead of the ongoing general elections.
What Triggered the ECI Notice
The controversy erupted after Kharge, while addressing journalists in Chennai, allegedly used the word 'terrorist' in reference to Prime Minister Modi while responding to a question. The Congress chief subsequently clarified that his words had been 'misinterpreted', insisting he never intended to directly label the Prime Minister as a terrorist.
A BJP delegation met the ECI on Wednesday, April 23, lodging a strong protest and demanding strict punitive action, calling it necessary as a 'deterrent' against inflammatory rhetoric in political discourse. The poll body responded swiftly, issuing a notice to Kharge and seeking his explanation within 24 hours.
Congress Hits Back: Agencies Being Used to Intimidate
Congress MP Tariq Anwar told IANS that the party would formally respond to the notice, adding that a clarification had already been issued the previous day. He went further, alleging a pattern of institutional misuse: 'The way ED, CBI and other agencies are being used by PM Modi, it is working to intimidate people, especially the Opposition.'
Senior Congress leader Udit Raj framed the issue through a caste lens, alleging a 'Manuvadi mindset' within the BJP. 'Mallikarjun Kharge comes from the Dalit community. He is the president of the country's second-largest party, and they are unable to tolerate that,' he stated. Udit Raj also referenced former BJP national president Bangaru Laxman, who was convicted in a bribery case, arguing that the BJP had historically undermined even its own Dalit leaders.
Opposition Parties Call Out Selective Action
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad took a measured stance, stating that abusive or personal language in political discourse is inappropriate regardless of the target, including the Prime Minister. He urged all political actors to maintain decorum consistent with democratic values.
However, SP leader S. T. Hasan sharply criticised the ECI for what he termed selective enforcement. 'No notice has been issued to this day against those who openly spewed venom in Bengal,' he alleged, adding that Kharge had not called the PM a terrorist outright but said he 'behaved like one' — a distinction he argued was being deliberately blurred.
Broader Pattern: Opposition vs. Institutions
This episode is the latest in a series of clashes between the Opposition and regulatory or investigative bodies during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. Critics have long alleged that institutions like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department are disproportionately deployed against Opposition figures, a charge the BJP consistently denies, calling it a politically motivated narrative.
Notably, the Supreme Court of India has in the past flagged concerns about the timing of agency actions during elections. The ECI itself has faced criticism from multiple Opposition parties this election season over perceived asymmetry in how model code violations are handled across party lines.
The Congress party's formal response to the ECI notice is expected shortly, and the poll body's follow-up action — or inaction — will be closely watched as a litmus test for institutional impartiality in the world's largest democratic exercise.
Point of View
The Opposition's concern about selective enforcement is not without precedent. When the same constitutional body is perceived as reactive to ruling party pressure rather than proactively even-handed, it erodes public trust in the very referee meant to ensure a level playing field. The real story here isn't just what Kharge said — it's what this episode reveals about the fragile independence of India's democratic institutions under electoral pressure.
NationPress
3 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mallikarjun Kharge say that triggered the ECI notice?
Kharge allegedly used the word 'terrorist' in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press conference in Chennai on April 22, 2024. He later clarified that his statement had been misinterpreted and was not meant as a direct label.
Why did the Election Commission issue a notice to Kharge?
The ECI issued the notice after a BJP delegation formally protested Kharge's remark and demanded punitive action. The poll body sought Kharge's explanation within 24 hours, calling the remarks a serious matter.
What is Congress's response to the ECI notice?
Congress said it would formally respond to the notice, noting that a clarification had already been issued. The party also alleged that central agencies like the ED and CBI are being used to intimidate the Opposition.
What did Samajwadi Party say about the ECI's action?
SP leader S. T. Hasan alleged that the ECI was being selectively strict, noting no notices were issued for inflammatory speeches in West Bengal. SP MP Awadhesh Prasad separately said personal attacks on any leader, including the PM, are inappropriate.
Is there a precedent for ECI notices over remarks during election campaigns?
Yes, the ECI has previously issued notices to leaders across parties for violating the Model Code of Conduct during elections. However, Opposition parties have repeatedly alleged that enforcement is asymmetric and tilted in favour of the ruling party.
