Barking on TV every day: Mallikarjun Kharge tears into PM in Karnataka

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being excessively present on television while ignoring pressing domestic issues like the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

Kharge criticised the Prime Minister’s frequent media appearances, saying, "Modi is seen on TV every single day, there isn’t a single day he’s not on the TV screens. Despite having government television Doordarshan, no Prime Minister in the past would bark on TV the way he does the moment the day breaks."

Addressing a convention organised by the Karnataka government in Mysuru, Kharge intensified his criticism, accusing Prime Minister Modi of “murdering” the Constitution. He asserted that the people of India would not allow the BJP and RSS to alter it.

"BJP and RSS are talking about amending or rewriting the Constitution. You may try how much you want, but the people of this country will not allow you to change the Constitution. If you (people) allow them to change the Constitution, you will not have any rights," Kharge warned the gathering.

"Modi, you became the Chief Minister and Prime Minister because of the Constitution. You bowed to the Constitution before entering Parliament, but Modi is today murdering the same Constitution," Kharge said.

Shifting focus to the violence in Manipur, Kharge highlighted the deteriorating situation in the state, alleging government inaction in the face of serious crimes and ethnic clashes.

"In our country, in Manipur, there are reports of rapes, communal violence, and tribal clashes between two communities. People have lost their properties and children, but neither the BJP-led state government nor the central government has done anything about it," he said.

Kharge also questioned the Prime Minister's silence and absence from the conflict-torn region. "Modi travels to 42 countries, but in our own country, a region as important as Manipur, he hasn’t even visited. Is he scared to go there?"

Drawing a contrast with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Kharge said, "Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, not only visited Manipur but even started his Bharat Jodo Yatra 2nd leg from there. While people are dying in our own country, Modi continues to travel abroad."

Pointing to Modi’s claim that India is now among the top countries in terms of equality, Kharge cited Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s statement that poverty is rising and wealth is concentrating among a few. "Who is correct, Modi or Gadkari? Who is to be believed?" he asked, adding that “Modi's only guarantee is lying.”

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