New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Union minister Annpurna Devi on Tuesday slammed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his "terrorist" remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it reflected the opposition party's frustration and "bankruptcy of thought".

In a post on X, Devi said, "By crossing all limits of political decorum, the Congress president's use of a word like 'terrorist' for the Prime Minister shows his frustration and the extent of Congress's mental bankruptcy." The women and child development minister added that such language against a democratically elected prime minister "exposes an anti-constitutional mindset" and "reveals the hatred they harbour towards the nation's leadership".

"The Congress and its allies should remember that the more mud they hurl, the more the 'lotus' will bloom. The people of the country will give a fitting reply to this kind of petty politics in the coming elections," she said.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Chennai alongside AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, Kharge accused PM Modi of "terrorising" political parties and people by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition.

Kharge initially referred to the prime minister as a "terrorist" while criticising the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP. However, when pressed by reporters to clarify the context of the remark, the Congress chief said he meant the prime minister was "terrorising" the democratic fabric of the country.

"He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this... he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, malingering opposition parties," Kharge said. PTI KSH KSH KSS KSS

Political controversy over Kharge's 'terrorist' remark highlights allegations of misuse of power and criticism of opposition language. Political controversy arose over Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's use of the word 'terrorist' and his clarification that he meant the Prime Minister was 'terrorising' political parties and people by misusing government machinery and central agencies. Union minister Annpurna Devi criticised the remark as a breach of political decorum, calling it evidence of frustration, intellectual bankruptcy and an anti-constitutional mindset.