EC Issues Notice To Mallikarjun Kharge Over 'Terrorist' Remark For PM Modi Amid BJP-Led Protests Against Congress

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday took serious note of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remark in which he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist”, issuing a stern notice to the veteran leader. The development comes after the BJP filed a "strong complaint" with the Election Commission over Kharge's remarks and also sought an apology from him.

Kharge's Clarification Over His Statement

As the controversy over his remark on PM Modi snowballed, he clarified his statement, saying he did not call the Prime Minister "a terrorist" but spoke about the victimisation of political opponents by the Modi government. He alleged that the Prime Minister "is terrorising politicians" and "tax terrorism is happening".

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "How can they (AIADMK) join with Modi? He is a terrorist. And he who won't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining with them, it means that they are… pic.twitter.com/qymq7H54Z7

— IANS (@ians_india) April 21, 2026

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"I did not speak against the PM. PM is terrorising politicians, candidates and regarding this, I said that tax terrorism is happening, ED is conducting raids, Income Tax Dept is conducting raids, CBI is conducting raids...this terrorism is being facilitated by the PM. I did not call him a terrorist...he is scaring people. He is trying to silence people through raids and attempting to defeat them in elections. This is what I said in Chennai," he said.

"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 PM Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands," Kharge said in his clarification.

BJP Seeks Apology 

Meanwhile, BJP leaders slammed Kharge over his controversial statement during a press conference on the last day of campaigning in Tamil Nadu. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday termed Kharge's statement "premeditated" and demanded action from the Election Commission.

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Referring to the timing of the remark, Poonawalla linked it to the ongoing remembrance of the Pahalgam terror attack anniversary.

He said, "What has been said by Kharge ji is not a coincidence but a premeditated action. The language used against the three-time elected PM of India, and calling him a terrorist and saying it at a time when we are commemorating one year of Pahalgam."

He further alleged that such remarks reflect a pattern of political conduct by the Congress, stating, "To abuse PM Modi has become a practice of Congress."

(With Agencies Input)