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.

Fresh violence broke out in Manipur’s Senapati district after an ambush on civilians triggered clashes between Naga and Kuki groups, escalating tensions in the hill regions.

According to media reports, the confrontation followed an ambush in which civilians were targeted, leading to anger among local groups and subsequent clashes.

Reports indicate that civilians were killed in the incident, which intensified distrust between communities. Following this, local organisations announced shutdowns and protests, disrupting normal life in several areas.

Security forces have been deployed, and authorities are monitoring the situation closely as tensions remain high.

Clashes were reported in areas near district borders, where both sides confronted each other during enforcement of shutdown calls. The situation escalated into violence, with reports of gunfire and physical altercations in certain pockets.

Authorities have been closely monitoring the situation, and security forces have been deployed to prevent further escalation. However, normal life in affected areas has been disrupted due to fear and uncertainty.

Manipur has witnessed a prolonged period of ethnic tension in recent years, particularly involving different communities in the hill districts. While earlier conflicts largely involved other groups, the latest clashes signal a widening of the unrest.

Experts note that such incidents, especially attacks on civilians, often act as flashpoints that quickly spiral into broader community confrontations.

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.