Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, 27 October called for the expulsion of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge from his own party, backing former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's internal criticism of Kharge's remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shinde's remarks added fresh political fuel to a growing rift within the Congress over its top leadership's statements targeting the Prime Minister.

Shinde Backs Chavan's Internal Dissent

Shinde described Prithviraj Chavan as 'a very sensible leader' who had served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and said Chavan's public pushback against Kharge's remarks was entirely justified. Chavan had earlier expressed disagreement with the Congress national president's statement, saying Kharge 'had made a mistake and should not have made such remarks.'

Speaking to reporters, Shinde said: 'Prithviraj Chavan is a very sensible leader. He has served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. That is why he has said that Kharge's statement was wrong. So, Kharge should be expelled from the party. If what he said was wrong, then expel him from the party.'

Sharp Attack on Congress Leadership Over PM Modi Remarks

Shinde went beyond the intra-Congress dispute to directly attack the opposition's broader conduct, accusing Congress leadership of making what he called 'disgraceful' allegations against the Prime Minister. He argued that Modi's focus on development and poverty alleviation was the real reason behind the Congress's restlessness.

'He makes such disgraceful allegations against the Prime Minister. He makes allegations of such a low level and should be ashamed of himself! The Prime Minister is taking the country forward and helping the poor. This is causing them distress. They are restless for power, just as a fish struggles without water,' Shinde said.

Rahul Gandhi Targeted Over Remarks Abroad

Shinde also trained his fire on Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of undermining India's image both domestically and internationally. He claimed Gandhi and other opposition figures were working to create 'anarchy and unrest' in the country.

'Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and defames the Prime Minister. He also defames him within the country. These people are working to create anarchy and unrest in the country. They want to create instability and break the country apart. They want India to become like Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka,' Shinde said.

Shinde Asserts 'New India' Resolve

Pushing back against what he described as destabilising forces, Shinde struck a nationalistic note, asserting that India under its present government was fundamentally different — and stronger — than the comparisons being drawn by critics. He noted that Indian soldiers now respond decisively to threats from Pakistan.

'But this is not Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka. This is India. This is New India,' he said. Shinde also warned that the 140 crore people of India would hold accountable anyone seeking to divide the nation, saying: 'The 140 crore people of India will teach a lesson to those who intend to break the nation.'

Political Context

This comes amid heightened friction between the ruling alliance and the Congress ahead of ongoing legislative sessions and state-level political activity in Maharashtra. The public backing of an internal Congress critic by a senior ruling alliance leader is notable — it allows the Mahayuti government to use Congress's own intra-party tensions as political ammunition. Prithviraj Chavan's dissent, rare for a senior Congress leader, has provided the ruling bloc an unexpected opening in the narrative battle.