Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge expressed disapproval of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments about AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, labeling them as irresponsible and caste-driven. Priyank Kharge defended his father’s ‘poisonous snake’ analogy, attributing BJP leaders’ behavior to a sense of caste privilege influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He criticized CM Sarma for allegedly changing his views due to RSS associations, claiming a lack of accountability for his statements against Dalits and marginalized leaders.
Priyank Kharge raised concerns about CM Sarma’s Brahmin background, accusing him of social privilege that shields him from criticism. He accused the RSS of promoting a divisive mindset and criticized BJP leaders for not transcending this ideology. Kharge questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on Sarma’s remarks, highlighting the targeting of the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha by a state Chief Minister.
Defending Mallikarjun Kharge’s metaphorical remarks on dealing with a “poisonous snake,” Priyank Kharge clarified that they referred to ideologies fostering societal hatred. He argued against nurturing such ideologies, claiming they hinder societal progress and development, particularly for minorities, backward classes, Dalits, Adivasis, and women.
Kharge contrasted the RSS’s adherence to “Manu Smriti” with Congress’s commitment to the Constitution, criticizing the BJP for promoting RSS ideologies. He accused CM Sarma of appearing “frustrated” and criticized BJP leaders, including PM Modi, for evading Mallikarjun Kharge’s questions. The ongoing verbal sparring stemmed from Kharge’s remarks citing the Quran during an election rally in Assam, likening the RSS and BJP to a “poisonous snake.”
