“Do You Have 100 Heads Like Ravan?” Row Over Congress Chief’s Remark On PM


Mr Kharge made the comments while addressing a rally in Ahmedabad ahead of polls next month.

New Delhi:

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi clapped back at a Congress leader’s “aukat” comment, the party’s new chief Mallikarjun Kharge has delivered a new controversy for the party, just before the Gujarat election, by targeting the Prime Minister with a “Ravan” reference.

The BJP has accused Mr Kharge of “insulting Gujarat’s son” repeatedly.

Mr Kharge made the comments while addressing a rally in Ahmedabad ahead of polls next month.

“Modi ji is Prime Minister. Forgetting his work, he keeps campaigning in corporation elections, MLA elections, MP elections, everywhere… All the time he’s talking about himself – ‘You don’t have to see anyone else, just look at Modi and vote’. How many times do we see your face? How many forms do you have? Do you have 100 heads like Ravan?” Mr Kharge said, drawing laughter and applause from his audience.

The Congress chief said in every election, candidates sought votes in the name of PM Modi.

“I’ve been seeing that votes are sought in the name of Modiji, be it municipality elections, corporation elections or state elections…Ask for votes in the name of the candidate. Is Modi going to come and work at the municipality? Is he going to help you in times of your need,” the Congress veteran asked.

Amit Malviya, who heads the BJP’s IT Cell, shared the video with a sharp comment.

Video: Mallikarjun Kharge speaks at a rally in Ahmedabad.

“Unable to take the heat of Gujarat election, pushed to the fringe, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge loses control over his words, calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ravan. From “Maut ka Saudagar” to “Ravan”, Congress continues to insult Gujarat and its son…,” Mr Malviya wrote.

The tweet referred to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s controversial “Maut ka Saudagar (merchant of death)” comment during the 2007 Gujarat election, targeting PM Modi – who was Chief Minister – over the 2002 riots.

Gujarat will vote on December 1 and 5 and the results will be declared on December 8.