On Monday in New Delhi, Kharge responds to PM Modi’s claims after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of forcing Congress to choose Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for Bihar. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the remarks, calling them “laughable” and “untrue.”
Kharge said, “All of this is a lie. He has nothing else to say. I will answer this in Bihar today. Nobody forces someone to make another person the CM at gunpoint.” He emphasized that Congress has never worked under such pressure and criticized the Prime Minister for lowering the tone of political debate. “Modi ji is the PM of this country, yet he makes such statements, it shows his level,” Kharge said, adding that the Prime Minister should maintain the dignity of his position instead of using such language during election rallies.
PM Modi made his allegations a day earlier during a campaign in Bhojpur. He claimed that Congress “never wanted” Tejashwi Yadav to lead the alliance but was “coerced” by the RJD. Modi remarked, “The RJD secured it by placing a katta (country-made gun) on the head of the Congress.” He accused the opposition alliance of chaos and alleged that “behind closed doors, gundagardi was happening just before nomination day.”
Furthermore, Modi said that the Congress-RJD alliance is unstable and predicted that “they will break each other’s heads after the election.” His strong words added heat to an already intense political atmosphere in Bihar.
Kharge countered these remarks by stating that Modi was trying to distract voters from real issues like unemployment, rising prices, and corruption. He mentioned that Congress and its allies were focused on development and social justice, not petty disputes.
The Bihar assembly elections, scheduled for November 6 and 11, are expected to be closely contested. The state has 243 assembly seats, and the counting of votes will happen on November 14. Leaders from all major parties, including PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Kharge himself, are addressing multiple rallies across Bihar.
Bihar’s election is crucial because it reflects public sentiment toward both national and regional parties. The state has seen steady development but continues to face unemployment and infrastructure challenges. Officials expect high voter turnout, similar to Punjab’s 2021 assembly polls, where nearly 77.2% of voters participated.
Punjab’s political experience also shows how deeply history influences modern politics. Cities like Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier, are now hubs for IT and business, reflecting progress. Yet, the state still carries the memory of difficult events like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Such reminders highlight why maintaining unity and accountability in governance remains essential.
As campaigning intensifies, both Congress and the BJP are fighting for control of Bihar’s future. The state’s people are looking for leaders who can ensure growth, peace, and employment.
Ultimately, Indian politics remains vibrant, full of debate and passion. With Kharge challenging Modi’s narrative, the Kharge responds to PM Modi’s claims episode shows how words can shape elections as much as actions.
