The run-up to the Gujarat elections intensified on Tuesday after BJP leaders reacted to a remark made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kharge during a public meeting in Behrampura, Ahmedabad, on Monday, likened PM Modi to Ravan. “Everywhere your [PM Modi’s] image is used — be it civic elections, or assembly polls, or general elections. How many times shall we see your face? Are you Ravan with 100 heads,” Kharge said.
The remark drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders. BJP’s national general secretary and in-charge of Goa, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu CT Ravi said that Congress leaders were “frustrated with their nikamma”. “In yet another incident that proves CONgress should be relegated to political dustbin, the dummy President of @INCIndia calls PM Shri @narendramodi as ‘Ravan’. Are CONgis so frustrated with their Nikamma? Has @kharge lost his sanity serving ‘Fake Gandhis’,” he tweeted.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra at a news conference said it was an insult to Gujarat. "This kind of language used for a son of the soil standing in Gujarat shows the mentality of Congress. "I want to tell Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi that this is an insult to every Gujarat," he said. "It was not Kharge's statement. He was only following the Gandhis's orders. Once, Sonia Gandhi had called PM Modi 'maut ka saudagar (merchant of death)'. A few days ago, Madhusudan Mistry had said that he would put PM Modi in his place... Subodh Kant Sahay had said that PM Modi will die Hitler's death," he said.
BJP leader Amit Malviya tweeted: "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 it’s son…"