The political landscape in India intensified on Wednesday as the Congress party launched a counter-offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following accusations of disrespect toward Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge. The controversy ignited when a video clip surfaced, purportedly showing Kharge waiting outside the venue during Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s nomination filing in Wayanad. In the video, Kharge appears to be looking through a door at the proceedings.
Several BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and Amit Malviya, were quick to criticize Congress, claiming it had insulted Kharge. Sarma expressed dismay at what he perceived as disrespect toward a “veteran Parliamentarian and Dalit leader” in a post on X. He questioned whether the leaders of the Congress party take pride in belittling individuals they treat as mere “rubber stamps.”
Rajeev Chandrasekhar also took to social media to question Kharge’s absence during the nomination filing, asking, “Where were you @kharge Saheb? When first family Priyanka Vadra ji was filing her nomination as Cong candidate for #Wayanad. Kept outside – because he’s not family. Self-respect & dignity sacrificed at the altar of arrogance & entitlement of the Sonia family.” He further implied that this treatment was indicative of how the Congress party would treat the people of Wayanad.
In response to the BJP’s claims, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate did not hold back. Addressing Sarma’s comments, she remarked, “Here comes the liar in chief CM Himanta. Shut up and sit down – you must speak and tweet even less — the world is witnessing your buffoonery.” Shrinate also targeted Chandrasekhar, stating, “Tough to imagine, this lying troll was once a minister! See the pics and shut up. By the way, despite losing the election and not being a Member of Parliament anymore, why does @RajeevRC_X still have a grey badge? Courtesy his former associates who now work with X?”
The exchanges reflect the growing animosity between the two major political parties in India, especially as they gear up for the upcoming elections. With both sides trading barbs, the incident underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding the treatment of Dalit leaders and the broader implications of such actions in the political arena.