'Snake Is The Garland On Bhagwan Shankar's Neck': PM Modi Responds To Congress President Kharge's 'Poisonous Snake' Remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (30 April) responded to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's "poisonous snake" remark, saying that the Congress hates him as the Central government under his leadership is working hard to fight corruption.

Speaking at Karnataka’s Kalaburagi on Thursday, Kharge had said ,"PM Narendra Modi is like a poisonous snake. Now if you want to test a venom because I compared him with a poisonous snake, beware it will lead to your death".

He, however, later clarified that his comments were not meant for PM Modi but the BJP ideology.

BJP, however, was not satisfied with his clarification, saying that the Congress party is a habitual offender when it comes to defaming PM Modi and the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Responding to Kharge's comments at a rally in Kolar on Sunday, PM Modi said, “My government has been working hard to make strong nation and eradicate corruption from its roots and the Congress is not liking it. In return, they are calling me a ‘poisonous snake',".

"But a snake is the garland on Bhagwan Shankar’s neck. For me people of the country are like Lord Shiva. Hence I accept being a snake on the neck of people of the country who are like Lord Shiva for me,” PM Modi added.

He said that the people of Karnataka will give a befitting reply to Congress on 13 May for making such remarks against him.

Further, turning the the tables on the Congress that has been accusing the BJP government in Karnataka of demanding 40 per cent commission from contractors for clearing their bills, PM Modi said that the main identity of the Congress was being a dispensation of 85 per cent commission.

"The Congress party is 85 per cent commission party, and their own PM admitted it once. They are trying hard to come to power in Karnataka and loot the state. That will not happen as people are aware of the potential of a double engine government. The crowd in Kolar will give both Congress and the JD(S) sleepless nights,” he said.