The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a formal notice to Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge over his comments during the Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign, in which he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'terrorist.' The ECI described the language used as 'intemperate and highly objectionable,' stating that such dehumanising terms undermine the dignity of democratic institutions.
Kharge has been given 24 hours to clarify his remarks.
In the notice, the ECI highlighted that Kharge, serving as a star campaigner for the Indian National Congress, must comply with standards of public discourse. The commission stated, “Use of intemperate and highly objectionable and dehumanising choice of words by a seasoned politician against a constitutional functionary appears to be not only inconsistent with the standards of public discourse but also undermines the dignity of democratic institutions.”
The notice further stated, “Whereas, the Commission is prima facie of the opinion that Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also a Star campaigner of the Indian National Congress in the General Election to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, has violated the aforesaid provisions of the MCC and relevant instructions issued by the Commission brought out at para 9 and 11 respectively.” It added, “In the event of no response from your side within the time limit stipulated, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision.”
This development has heightened political tensions between the BJP and Congress, with the ruling party condemning the remark as “disgusting,” while some opposition leaders have supported Kharge’s explanation that he meant Prime Minister Modi was “terrorising people and political parties.”
The ECI’s action followed a delegation of BJP leaders, including Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju, meeting the commission to demand “strictest action” for what they called a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The ultimatum arrives as Tamil Nadu prepares to vote on April 23, 2026, with the state currently in the final hours of the election “silence period.” The ECI faces pressure to maintain an issue-based campaign.
The controversy arose on the final day of campaigning when Kharge criticised the AIADMK for supporting the BJP and labelled Prime Minister Modi a “terrorist who does not believe in equality.” When asked about his choice of words, Kharge defended himself, saying, “He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist… What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands.”