Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Calls PM Modi 'Poisonous Snake', BJP Draws Parallels With Sonia Gandhi's 'Maut Ka Saudagar' Remark

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has drawn the BJP's criticism after comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a poisonous snake during a public meeting in poll-bound Karnataka.

The meeting was held as part of the Congress party's campaign for the upcoming May 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka.

In his speech, Kharge warned the public, stating, "don't make a mistake. Modi is like a poisonous snake. If you say, 'no, it's not poisonous. let's lick it and find out.' Don't go to lick it. If you lick, you die."

Kharge added, "(if you think that) No, no, this is not a poison because Modi has given it, 'good man' Prime Minister has given it, let's try it and lick it'. If you lick that poison then you will sleep forever".

BJP's Amit Malviya has criticized Kharge for his comments. Malviya shared the video of Kharge's statement on Twitter, saying, "What started with Sonia Gandhi's 'maut ka saudagar', and we know how it ended, the Congress continues to plummet to new depths. The desperation shows Congress is losing ground in Karnataka and knows it."

After outrage on social media, Kharge, a former Union minister, clarified to reporters that he did not speak against Modi personally but compared the BJP's ideology to poison and called the party a snake.

"If you support that ideology and lick (try) it, death is certain."

"I did not speak against him (Modi) because I have already said that I never make personal comments," the Congress President said.