Congress Compared Me To Snake, That's Their Poll Issue To Get Votes: PM Modi In Karnataka — WATCH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “poison” barbs in Karnataka electioneering come after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called him a "poisonous snake".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed a public meeting in poll-bound Karnataka's Kolar district and responded to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's "poisonous snake" remark. The “poison” barbs in Karnataka electioneering come as addressing a public meeting at Ron in Gadag district on Thursday, Kharge told the people: “Don’t make a mistake. Modi is like a poisonous snake.”

"When I fight against corruption, the Congress feels hurt the most and they hate me even more. They are threatening me. They are saying ‘Modi Teri Kabar Khudegi’. Their biggest issue in this election is comparing me to a snake. They are asking for votes from people by calling me a snake. But brothers and sisters, snake is an ornament of Bhagwan Shankar’s neck. For me, the people are also God, equivalent to Bhagwan Shankar and I am happy to be a snake for this God," he remarked.

He also hit out the grand old party for its "40% commission" jibe saying, "Congress has a reputation of 85% commission. People have no faith in their govt. One of their Prime Ministers said that he sends Rupee 1 but 15 paise reach the ground. Congress has always done appeasement politics. BJP is not for appeasement but for satisfaction. Congress has always grown under corruption. Only BJP can take immediate action on corruption."

Earlier, While attacking Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his “poisonous snake” remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka BJP MLA Basanagouda Yatnal called Congress MP and former party president Sonia Gandhi a “Vishkanya” (venomous maiden).

Karnataka Election: Kharge Backtracks From Comment, Nirmala Says Congress President Trying Wriggle Out

As a row erupted, Mallikarjun Kharge backtracked from his poisonous snake remark saying that his intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings and the statement was not for PM Modi, but for the ideology he represents.

“My intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings, if knowingly or unknowingly someone’s feelings were hurt, it was never my intention,” Kharge said in a series of tweets in Hindi.

“BJP’s ideology is divisive, disharmonious, full of hatred and prejudiced towards the poor and Dalits. I discussed this politics of hatred and malice. My statement was neither for PM Modi personally nor for any other person, but for the ideology he represents,” he said.

“Our fight with PM Modi is not personal. It is an ideological battle. My intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings and if knowingly or unknowingly someone’s feelings were hurt, then it was never my intention and nor has it been the conduct of my long political life,” he further mentioned.

Dismissing the Congress President’s clarification, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said he was trying to wriggle out.