Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge faces criticism after controversial remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, says statement was misinterpreted

A political controversy erupted after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” during a public address, triggering sharp reactions from the ruling party.

Following the backlash, Kharge issued a clarification, stating that his remarks were misinterpreted and that he did not intend to label the Prime Minister as a terrorist. He instead accused Modi of using threatening language in political discourse.

The comment quickly drew strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with leaders calling the remark inappropriate and accusing the Congress of lowering political discourse. The exchange reflects heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition amid the ongoing election season.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also condemned the remark, describing it as “atrocious” and indicative of a new low in political rhetoric.

The incident has further intensified the war of words between the two parties, with both sides trading accusations as campaigning gains momentum.

Campaign activities continue on ground while engagement with I-PAC leadership reportedly declines after recent developments

Amid ongoing assembly election campaigns, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are recalibrating their poll strategies as political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee comes under scrutiny.

According to media reports, campaign activities at the ground level remain largely unaffected in both states. Party workers continue voter outreach, rallies, and booth-level coordination without any visible slowdown.

However, there has been a noticeable reduction in engagement with I-PAC’s senior leadership following recent developments, including investigative actions involving the firm.

Sources indicate that while the broader campaign machinery remains intact, both TMC and DMK are making internal adjustments to ensure continuity and minimise dependence on external strategists. This includes greater reliance on party cadres and local leadership for campaign execution.

The developments come at a crucial time, with elections underway and political parties aiming to maintain momentum. Despite the situation surrounding I-PAC, both parties appear focused on sustaining their outreach efforts and adapting strategies as needed.

TMC alleges PM’s unscheduled halt in Jhargram disrupted opposition campaign, says Bengal “will remember”

The Trinamool Congress on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his brief halt to eat jhalmuri during a campaign visit in Jhargram, claiming the move disrupted opposition leaders’ schedules.

The party alleged that the Prime Minister’s extended stay in the area led to Hemant Soren being unable to complete his planned campaign programme in the state. According to the TMC, the Jharkhand Chief Minister and his wife were eventually forced to return to Ranchi without addressing scheduled events.

The controversy stems from an unscheduled stop made by the Prime Minister during a busy day of campaigning ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Modi was seen interacting with a street vendor and having jhalmuri, a popular local snack, during his visit.

TMC claimed that due to the Prime Minister’s presence and the extension of his schedule, necessary clearances were not granted for Soren’s helicopter to land in the region. The party said the leaders were kept waiting for hours before being compelled to return, calling the situation a reflection of disregard for elected representatives.

In its criticism, the party said the incident would not be forgotten by voters, remarking that “Bengal will remember,” as campaigning intensifies ahead of polling.

The episode has added to the political tensions in the state, where campaigning has intensified with multiple parties targeting each other over governance and electoral conduct. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister had shared visuals of his stop, describing it as a brief pause between multiple rallies during a packed campaign schedule.