Priyank Kharge Defends Father's Controversial Statement, Questions RSS and Modi Government
In a fiery response to the complaint filed against senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge for his 'kill poisonous snake' remark, Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge has dismissed the allegations and launched a sharp critique of the central government. Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi on Thursday, Priyank Kharge challenged the RSS to file a formal complaint if they are aggrieved.
Defending the 'Poisonous Snake' Analogy
Priyank Kharge elaborated on his father's statement, emphasizing its metaphorical nature. "What did Senior Kharge say anyway? He said to curb venomous snakes. Will anyone spill milk if they encounter a poisonous snake?" he questioned, defending the remark as a call to address anti-constitutional ideologies. He stressed that the Congress party's philosophy is rooted in equality and the teachings of Buddha and Basava, contrasting it with what he described as divisive theories.
Criticism of RSS and Political Rivals
The minister directly addressed the complaint, stating, "Please file a complaint. Why has the RSS not filed a complaint? If the RSS is registered, write a complaint on its letterhead." He also responded to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's comments about Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, attributing them to fear of electoral defeat. "He is talking like that out of fear of defeat," Priyank asserted, highlighting the political tensions ahead of upcoming elections.
Broadside Against Modi Government's Policies
Expanding his critique, Priyank Kharge blamed the Narendra Modi-led central government for multiple issues affecting citizens. He pointed to shortages of cooking gas, petrol, and diesel, questioning the government's preparedness. "When the war started in West Asia, the central govt here said it has enough fuel available. Then why was the Essential Commodities Act enacted?" he asked, accusing the administration of misleading the public.
He further criticized Modi's handling of international conflicts, noting, "Why Modi, who pats himself on the back as vishwaguru, didn't try to stop the war?" Drawing a historical parallel, he recalled former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's intervention during the Vietnam War, implying a failure in current foreign policy. Priyank concluded that the Modi government's economic and foreign policies have imposed significant hardships on the Indian populace, exacerbating issues like inflation and resource scarcity.
