Mallikarjun Kharge comment ‘Modi is like a poisonous snake’ turns ammo for BJP in Karnataka

He, however, insisted that he would continue to oppose the BJP and the RSS’ ideology.

The damage, however, had already been done, with BJP leaders — from state to the Centre — crying foul over Kharge’s comment on Modi.

Also read: Congress accuses Amit Shah of ‘issuing threats’ in election speech

‘You’ll die if you lick it’

Kharge was addressing a public meeting at Ron in the Gadag district of Karnataka as part of the Congress’ campaign for the 10 May Assembly elections when he made the comments,

He said: “Don’t make a mistake. Modi is like a poisonous snake. If you say, ‘No, it’s not poisonous, let’s lick it and find out.’ Don’t go to lick it. If you lick, you die.”

Kharge added, “(If you think that) No, no, this is not a poison because Modi has given it, a ‘good man’ — the prime minister has given it — let’s try it and lick it’. If you lick that poison then you will sleep forever”.

BJP pounces on Kharge’s comments

BJP IT department chief Amit Malviya, who also shared on Twitter the video where Kharge made those comments, said: “Now Congress President Kharge calls Prime Minister Modi poisonous snake’ What started with Sonia Gandhi’s maut ka saudagar’, and we know how it ended, the Congress continues to plummet to new depths. The desperation shows Congress is losing ground in Karnataka and knows it.”

Several other BJP leaders, including Union ministers, also shared Kharge’s video extensively, insisting that the comments were insulting to the prime minister.

Offensive slurs by Congress leaders are a sad reflection of their party’s values.

The disparaging comment by @kharge Ji only exemplifies the Congress’ disdain for people of humble origin.

The Congress continues to spew hate & hurl baseless insults at PM Sri @narendramodi Ji. pic.twitter.com/xMWrrtv52q

— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) April 27, 2023

Kharge expresses regret, with rider

Quick to realise that his comments had put the Congress’ calculated strategy to steer clear of personal attacks against Modi on the back foot, Kharge made attempts at damage control during his next public event on Thursday, and also when he spoke to reporters later.

“I only said the BJP was like a snake, and that party’s ideology is like poison. If you support that ideology and lick (try) it, death is certain. I did not speak against him (Modi) because I have already said that I never make personal comments,” Kharge said.

During his public address in Shirahatti on Thursday, Kharge even expressed regret but with a rider.

“We have ideological differences. The RSS-BJP’s ideology is poisonous. But they (BJP) compared it to the prime minister and claimed that Kharge commented about him. Let me clarify. It has never been my intent to speak about one person or hurt one person ever. If my statement has hurt anyone, if it was misconstrued and distressed anyone, I will express special regret for it. It isn’t right to twist my statements but my fight against RSS-BJP, its ideology and people who support it will continue unabated,” Kharge added.

Congress attempts ‘Dalit’ spin 

Hours after Kharge expressed regret over his comments, the Congress in Karnataka attempted to give the whole situation a “Dalit spin” and accused the BJP of targeting a Dalit leader like Kharge.

“The BJP is not able to digest that Mallikarjun Kharge, who hails from a poor, Dalit family in Karnataka, has been in the public life for 60 years after being elected nine times by people, has risen from being a block president to now the AICC president,” AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala told reporters on Thursday.

“They can’t digest it because the BJP will never make a Dalit or an ST community member its president. That is why they are desperate to turn the ideological battle we are fighting against them into a personal one and weaken it,” he added.

“Kharge has said repeatedly said that the Congress’ fight is not against Modi personally but against the BJP’s ideology and oppressive politics,” he said.