Mallikarjun Kharge attended a Congress event in Goa on Monday.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying Shah was still a child when he first became an MLA and is now lecturing Congress leaders on patriotism.
Addressing a public meeting in South Goa, Kharge also accused the BJP of being “anti-religion” and alleged that a stage at Ramlila Maidan in Uttarakhand was purified two days after he addressed a gathering there on August 8.
Kharge said, “When I first became an MLA, Amit Shah was a child. Today, he is teaching us patriotism.” Shah has frequently targeted Sonia Gandhi and the Gandhi family in his speeches.
Kharge urges voters not to support ‘traitors’
Kharge also attacked Congress leaders who have left the party and joined the BJP, urging voters not to support them. He highlighted several issues during his address:
Kharge claimed that 10 of Goa’s 12 state ministers are former Congress leaders who joined the BJP.
He said voters should not support those who “betrayed” the Congress.
He questioned the purchase of land in Goa by wealthy people from major cities and asked whether such acquisitions benefit local residents.
He opposed allowing outsiders to buy land and build houses at arbitrary prices, alleging that this could exploit local people.
He said Goa should welcome tourists who respect and protect the state’s culture.
Vande Mataram was being sung, when Sonia turned back and was seen gesturing. Rahul also asked something with a gesture
A staff member approached party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Kharge whispered something in his ear, then Sonia also spoke to him
Vande Mataram row escalates
Kharge’s remarks came amid a political dispute over the singing of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters on August 15.
Amit Shah had alleged on August 16 that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi asked the party president to stop the singing midway. A lawyer subsequently filed a complaint at Delhi’s IP Estate police station seeking an FIR against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
The complainant alleged that after the initial portion of Vande Mataram was sung, Sonia Gandhi made gestures that were interpreted as an objection to continuing the song.
Delhi Police has begun looking into the complaint.
BJP files complaints in Karnataka
The controversy has also reached Karnataka, where BJP leaders filed police complaints against Sonia Gandhi in Bengaluru and Mangaluru, alleging that she insulted Vande Mataram.
In Bengaluru, the BJP Yuva Morcha filed a complaint at Malleswaram, while BJP leaders in Mangaluru approached the Urwa police station. Police have not yet registered an FIR in either case.
