Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has intensified political tensions with his sharp remarks against the BJP, branding it as a party influenced by "terrorists." His statements, delivered during a rally in Rajasthan ahead of the assembly elections, have provoked strong backlash from the BJP leadership, particularly its National President, JP Nadda.
Kharge’s accusations aimed at portraying the BJP as responsible for communal discord drew swift reactions from Nadda, who countered by accusing the Congress of a sustained campaign of divisive politics. Nadda framed Kharge's comments as signs of desperation within the Congress, which has been struggling to regain ground at the national level. According to Nadda, the Congress leadership has resorted to such inflammatory rhetoric to distract from its internal issues and lack of a strong electoral agenda. His rebuttal focused on the Congress' legacy of appeasement politics and its failure to connect with a wider base of voters.
Nadda also linked Kharge’s comments to the Congress’ broader strategy of leveraging emotional appeals, particularly in states like Rajasthan, where anti-incumbency sentiments are rising. This verbal exchange between Kharge and Nadda is set against the backdrop of upcoming state elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana—regions critical to both parties. Political analysts note that the Congress' challenges in consolidating its voter base and defining a coherent vision have prompted the leadership to adopt more aggressive campaigning tactics.