Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a sharp attack on Mallikarjun Kharge over his controversial remarks comparing the BJP and RSS to a “poisonous snake”, urging voters to give a “befitting reply” in the upcoming elections.

Addressing a public rally in Patharkandi, Shah said Kharge’s statement was highly objectionable and reflective of the Congress party’s mindset.

“Kharge ji is saying BJP and RSS are snakes and should be killed. I want to tell him to look at the people standing here. On April 9, voters will give such a reply that even with a telescope, Congress will not be visible,” Shah said, in an apparent reference to Rahul Gandhi.

The remarks come in response to Kharge’s statement made during a campaign in Kerala, where he likened the BJP and RSS to a “poisonous snake”, citing a religious analogy and saying such a threat must be eliminated.

The statement triggered a strong backlash from BJP leaders, with party spokesperson Shehzaad Poonawalla accusing the Congress of making inflammatory comments and attempting to provoke communities.

Calling the remark “undemocratic and dangerous”, Poonawalla urged the Election Commission to take action against the Congress leadership.

Kharge has also drawn criticism for another comment during the same visit, where he reportedly said voters in Kerala were “educated and clever” and could not be misled unlike those in other states.

Reacting strongly, Bhupendra Patel said the statement insulted the people of Gujarat and demanded an apology, stating that it hurt the legacy of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The war of words between the BJP and Congress has intensified ahead of the elections, with both sides trading sharp remarks during campaign rallies.