A political controversy broke out after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press interaction in Chennai. His comments triggered a sharp reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused him of using offensive language.
However, a closer look at his statement and later clarification shows that Kharge did not directly call the Prime Minister a “terrorist,” but later explained that his words were misunderstood.
Did Mallikarjun Kharge Call PM Narendra Modi a ‘Terrorist’?
While speaking to reporters, Kharge criticised the AIADMK for its political alignment with the BJP and questioned its decision to associate with Prime Minister Modi.
He said, “How can these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won’t believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy.”
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
Following the statement, political backlash intensified, with BJP leaders accusing him of making unacceptable remarks against the Prime Minister.
What did Mallikarjun Kharge actually say in Chennai?
As the controversy escalated, Mallikarjun Kharge clarified his statement and denied calling PM Modi a terrorist. He explained that he intended to describe what he called the Prime Minister’s style of political pressure.
“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 Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands,” he said.
He further added, “No, no,” Kharge began clarifying his statement.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, “How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won’t believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means… pic.twitter.com/znLvE7hutP
— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2026
“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 Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands. Therefore, I said, in that context, he is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist,” Kharge said.
BJP Launches Sharp Attack on Congress and Mallikarjun Kharge
The BJP strongly criticised Kharge’s remarks and accused the Congress of repeatedly using offensive language against the Prime Minister.
“The Congress is an “Urban Naxal” party; that is why Kharge employs abusive language against the Prime Minister. This is not the first time this has happened. The repeated use of venomous rhetoric, including death threats, makes one thing abundantly clear: the Congress party’s “remote control” lies in the hands of anti-national forces,” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said in a video message.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also demanded an apology from the Congress party, calling the remarks an insult to the Prime Minister.
Fact Check Verdict: Did Mallikarjun Kharge Really Call PM Narendra Modi a ‘Terrorist?
A review of Kharge’s full statement indicates that he used strong political language during criticism of the BJP and AIADMK alliance. However, he later clarified that he did not label PM Modi a “terrorist” and instead referred to what he described as political pressure tactics.
The clarification suggests that the viral claim misrepresents the full context of his remarks.
