Priyanka Gandhi Calls Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Remarks on Kharge ‘Utterly Shameful and Unacceptable’
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, condemning what she described as derogatory language used by the BJP leader against Congress National President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.
Taking to X, Vadra called the remarks “utterly shameful and despicable.”
“The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has used extremely rude and derogatory language against Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, which is utterly shameful and unacceptable,” she wrote.
Vadra stressed that Kharge’s stature extends well beyond his role within the Congress party. “He is not only a representative of the Congress party but also an enlightened voice for the Dalits and marginalised sections of the nation. By insulting him, the BJP’s Chief Minister has insulted crores of people across the country,” she said.
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She also directed a pointed question at the Prime Minister. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi must clarify before the nation: Do they agree with this insult to crores of Indians?” she added.
What Triggered the Row
The controversy stems from Sarma’s reaction after Kharge demanded clarification from the central government and External Affairs Minister over a police raid on Congress leader Pawan Khera’s Delhi residence.
Responding to Kharge’s demand, Sarma said, “Are you crazy? If you don’t know the truth, then why did you put it? You should have asked earlier… First, you should have asked the foreign minister whether it was right or not and that we have received this allegation.” He further remarked, “Kharge is old, and you are still talking like a crazy person,” while drawing a comparison to administering medicine after committing a killing.
The episode traces back to an allegation made by Khera, who claimed that Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, held three passports from India, the UAE, and Egypt and had undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai along with a registered company in Wyoming, USA.