The Congress party on Wednesday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following accusations from BJP leaders that the Congress showed “disrespect” to Dalits after a video surfaced of Mallikarjun Kharge waiting to enter the venue for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s nomination in Wayanad.
In the video, Kharge is seen peering through the door of the room where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was filing her nomination papers. This footage prompted several BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, to target the Congress for allegedly insulting Kharge.
Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his dismay on X, stating, “It’s deeply disheartening to witness the disrespect shown towards a veteran Parliamentarian and Dalit leader like Shri Khargeji by the so-called Holy Trinity in Wayanad today. Whether it’s the president of AICC or PCC, does the family take pride in humiliating those they treat as mere rubber stamps?”
Rajeev Chandrasekhar questioned Kharge’s absence during the nomination process, tweeting, “Where were you, @Kharge Saheb? When first family Priyanka Vadra ji was filing her nomination as Congress candidate for #Wayanad? Kept outside because he’s not family. Self-respect & dignity sacrificed at the altar of the arrogance & entitlement of the Sonia family. Just imagine if they treat a senior Dalit leader & Party President like this, how they will treat the people of Wayanad.”
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also weighed in, sharing the video and asking, “Did the Gandhis keep him out because he is a Dalit?”
In response, the Congress quickly countered the BJP’s claims, posting images of Kharge seated alongside senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate challenged the BJP’s narrative, stating, “You cheap liar. I wish you knew a thing or two about elections and how many people at any given time are allowed inside besides the candidate. Kharge ji, Sonia ji and Rahul Ji waited for some people to exit before they came in. Now see these pics and shut up.”
Addressing Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments, Shrinate remarked, “Here comes the liar in chief CM Himanta—shut up and sit down. You must speak and tweet even less — the world is witnessing your buffoonery.”
She also took a jab at Rajeev Chandrasekhar, saying, “Tough to imagine this lying troll was once a minister! See the pics and shut up. BTW, despite losing the election and not being a Member of Parliament anymore, why does @RajeevRC_X still have a grey badge? Courtesy his former associates who now work with X?”
