Published Apr 22, 2026 | 9:00 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 22, 2026 | 9:00 PM
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Synopsis: The Election Commission of India has issued a “stern” notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist”, and has asked him to respond within 24 hours. Kharge made the comments at a public meeting in Chennai while criticising the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and later clarified that he was referring to “tax terrorism” and the use of central agencies against political opponents.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, 22 April issued a “stern” notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist”, The Hindu reported.
The poll body said it had taken a “serious” view of the comments and asked Kharge to respond within 24 hours.
Kharge made the remarks at a public meeting in Chennai ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections while criticising the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP.
“How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of CN Annadurai, how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist. He won’t believe in equality. His party won’t believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining with them, it means they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai,” he said.
Later that day, the veteran Congress leader said he was referring to the Centre’s “tax terrorism” and the use of investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation against political opponents.
“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,” he told ANI.
“This terrorism is being facilitated by the PM. I did not call him a terrorist; he is facilitating terrorism to scare people. He is trying to silence people through raids and attempting to defeat them in elections. This is what I said in Chennai.”
