5 controversies of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge
Let us take a look at most-talked controversies involving Mallikarjun Kharge, the first non-Gandhi Congress chief in 24 years.
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In a significant development, Mallikarjun Kharge became the new Congress president, the first non-Gandhi party chief in 24 years. He defeated MP Shashi Tharoor by over 6,000 votes on Wednesday. A leader with more than 50 years of experience in politics, Kharge has had his fair share of controversies.
Let us take a look at the most-talked controversies involving Mallikarjun Kharge, the first non-Gandhi Congress chief in 24 years.
1. When Kharge said, "You Aryans have come from outside" to Rajnath Singh
During a debate in Lok Sabha, former Home Minister Rajnath Singh stated, "However much Dr Ambedkar may have felt discriminated against by the social system of the country, he never thought of abandoning the country."
To this, Kharge said, "Running away? Dr Ambedkar was amool niwasi (original inhabitant) of this country. We (Dalits) are the original inhabitants of this country, we are not the ones who will run away; we are the ones who defend this country." He further said, “aap bahar se aye hain…ye Aryan jitney bhi hain, wo bahar se aye hain.” Kharge’s speech implied that the BJP and its social base represented the Aryans, who were outsiders to the country.
2. Rs 50,000 crore disproportionate assets case
In 2014, a Lokayukta complaint was lodged against Mallikarjun Kharge alleging that he owned assets worth Rs 50,000 crore which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.
3. 'Muharram mein nachenge' remark
During his Congress president election campaign, Kharge made a remark on Muharram which drew sharp reactions. Kharge, while facing the media in Bhopal, was asked whether the grand old party would field him or Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial face in 2024.
To this Kharge said, “There is a saying "Bakrid mein bachenge toh Muharram mein nachenge". First, let these elections get over and let me become president, and then we'll see.
It should be noted that Muharram is not a celebration but mourning and such remarks are highly insulting to Muslims.
4. Kharge's seating problem
In July, when Droupadi Murmu became the President of India, Kharge, who was then the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, was invited to the swearing-in ceremony. The Congress claimed that Kharge was not accorded a seat commensurate with his position during the ceremony. The Centre, however, refuted the allegations and said that the LoP Rajya Sabha was given a seat in the front row at par with cabinet ministers.
5. Derogatory remarks against PM Narendra Modi
During the 2019 Karnataka bypoll, Kharge addressed a rally for Congress candidate Subash Rathod who was fielded by the party from the Chincholi Assembly. He said, "Wherever (PM Modi) goes, (he) says Congress will not get 40 seats (in Lok Sabha polls). Does any of you agree with this? If we get 40 seats, will (PM) Modi hang himself at Vijay Chowk in Delhi?" the veteran Congress leader said.