'Let the notice come, we will reply': Congress chief Kharge reacts to EC ultimatum over 'terrorist' remark

NEW DELHI: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday responded to a stern notice from the Election Commission, saying, "our people will reply to it." The poll body had, a day earlier, issued an ultimatum to the veteran leader over his "terrorist" remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.On the notice, Kharge said, "Let the notice come. We will reply to it in the evening... Our people will reply to it."The Election Commission stated that the remark prima facie violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and its guidelines on maintaining decency in campaign discourse. It has asked Kharge to explain his stand within 24 hours, warning that failure to do so would invite appropriate action.Kharge made the controversial statement at a press conference in Chennai on the final day of campaigning for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. He was criticising the Edappadi Palaniswamy-led AIADMK over its alliance with PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party."How can they (AIADMK) join with Modi? He is a terrorist. And he doesn't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar, Kalaignar, and Baba Saheb Ambedkar," he said.When asked about the context of his remarks, Kharge clarified, “I want to clarify that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. Therefore I say, in that context, I say he is terrorising people and political parties,” the veteran politician stated.