Amit Shah slams Mallikarjun Kharge for 'dragging PM into his health matters'

Amit Shah hit out at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his statement about ousting PM Modi before dying, suggesting it reflects the "hatred and fear" the Congress has towards the Prime Minister.

In Short

• Amit Shah alleges Kharge's comments show Congress's 'hatred' for PM Modi
• Says PM prays for the Congress chief's long and healthy life
• Criticises Kharge's comment that he won't die before defeating PM Modi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday tore into Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his "I won't die until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from power" remark, calling it a "disgraceful" and a "bitter display of spite". Kharge, 83, made the remark at a rally in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday; the Congress chief took ill on stage during his speech but resumed after a brief halt to make the controversial remark.

In a tweet, Shah alleged that Kharge's comments reflected the "hatred and fear" Congress leaders harboured towards PM Modi, excoriating the Congress chief for dragging the Prime Minister into his health matters.

"Yesterday, the Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji has outperformed himself, his leaders and his party in being absolutely distasteful and disgraceful in his speech. In a bitter display of spite, he unnecessarily dragged PM Modi into his personal health matters by saying that he would die only after removing PM Modi from power".

"It just shows how much hate and fear these Congress people have of PM Modi, that they are thinking of him constantly."

"As for the health of Mr Kharge Ji, Modi Ji prays, I pray and we all pray that he lives a long, healthy life. May he continue to live for many years and may he live to see the creation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047," the Home Minister tweeted.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also joined Amit Shah in hitting out at the Congress leader.

She shared Shah’s tweet, saying, "Aptly said, HM Amit Shah ji. The leadership of Congress never loses any opportunity to display their hate towards Narendra Modi ji. This speech of Kharge ji is one such an instance”.

Responding to the BJP's criticism, Congress asked Amit Shah to "focus on his work".

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "...Kharge ji will return to election campaigning after he fell slightly ill...The Home Minister should focus on his work and also Manipur..."

Mallikarjun Kharge suffered a syncopal attack during his speech at a rally in Kathua but resumed after a brief pause. "I am 83. I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power," he said. "I wanted to talk. But due to dizziness, I sat down. Please pardon me."

Syncopal attack, the medical term for fainting, is a temporary loss of consciousness and muscle control, which is usually followed by quick recovery. It usually happens due to extremely low blood pressure.

Prime Minister Modi later spoke to Kharge on Sunday to enquire about his health.