The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently shared a video clip showing Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge peering through the door of a room where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was filing her nomination papers for the Wayanad constituency. This sparked a heated exchange between the BJP and Congress.
On Wednesday, the Congress strongly criticized the BJP after the latter accused it of showing “disrespect” to Dalits following the circulation of the video. The footage, which appeared to depict Kharge waiting outside the room during the nomination process, quickly gained attention online.
BJP Leaders Criticize Congress Over Kharge’s Treatment
In the clip, Mallikarjun Kharge can be seen standing by the door while Priyanka Gandhi is engaged in the nomination process. Several BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya, took to social media to accuse the Congress of disrespecting Kharge.
“It is extremely disappointing to witness the disregard shown towards an experienced Parliamentarian and Dalit leader like Kharge ji by the so-called elite in Wayanad. Whether it’s the president of AICC or PCC, does this family derive satisfaction from belittling those they consider mere figureheads?” Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Similarly, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a senior BJP leader from Karnataka, questioned Kharge’s absence during the nomination event. He wrote, “Where were you, @kharge Saheb, when Priyanka Vadra was filing her nomination in Wayanad? Left outside—because you’re not part of the family. Is this how you sacrifice self-respect and dignity for the arrogance of the Sonia family? If they can treat a senior Dalit leader and Congress President like this, how will they treat the people of Wayanad?”
Amit Malviya also joined the conversation, mocking the Congress while sharing the viral video. He questioned if Kharge was excluded because of his Dalit identity, sparking further controversy.
BJP Escalates with Official Statement
BJP’s official X handle further amplified the issue by sharing the same 30-second video. They commented on the exclusion of Kharge, linking it to broader concerns about how the Gandhi family treats Dalits. “Just as Mallikarjun Kharge was kept outside during Priyanka Vadra’s nomination, Rahul Gandhi, after abolishing reservations, will strip the Dalit community of their rights and respect. If the Gandhi family can insult Kharge ji like this, imagine how much disdain they have for the Dalit community,” the BJP post in Hindi declared.
Congress Fights Back
Congress wasted no time in responding to the accusations, sharing images that depicted Kharge seated alongside senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. These images directly contradicted the BJP’s claims.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate fired back at Amit Malviya, calling him a “cheap liar” and criticizing his lack of understanding about election procedures. “You know nothing about elections. Only a limited number of people are allowed inside the room besides the candidate. Kharge ji, Sonia ji, and Rahul ji were waiting for some people to leave before they could enter. Now look at these pictures and stay silent,” she retorted.
Shrinate also hit back at Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and advising him to speak less. “Here comes the chief liar. CM Himanta, you should tweet less—the world is watching your foolishness.”
Lastly, Supriya Shrinate didn’t spare Rajeev Chandrasekhar, mocking his credibility. “Hard to believe this trolling liar was once a minister! Look at these pictures and stay quiet. By the way, why does @RajeevRC_X still have a grey badge when he’s no longer a Member of Parliament? Is it thanks to his former colleagues who now work at X?” she quipped.
In this ongoing war of words, both sides continue to use the video to further their political agendas, adding fuel to the ongoing rivalry between BJP and Congress over Dalit representation and internal party dynamics.
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