BJP plotting to murder Mallikarjun Kharge and family: Congress

Days before the polling for 224-member Assembly in Karnataka, Congress has made allegations against the BJP of hatching a plot to "kill" its President Mallikarjun Kharge and his family.

At a press meet in Bengaluru on Saturday, the grand old party played an audio clip accusing the BJP candidate from Chittapur Manikanth Rathod of using derogatory remarks against Kharge.

Photo Credit: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala

"BJP leaders are now hatching a plot to murder Mallikarjun Kharge and his family members. This is now clear from the recording of BJP's candidate from Chittapur who also happens to be the blue-eyed boy of PM Modi and chief minister Bommai," ANI quoted Congress leader Randeep Surjewala as saying.

He then claimed that the Prime Minister would not respond to the incident nor the Karnataka government or the Election Commission of India.

"I know the Prime Minister will remain mute, and so will Karnataka police and the Election Commission of India. But people of Karnataka will not remain mute and will give a befitting reply" he stated.

Pawan Khera was also present at the press meet. "The brazen hatred of the BJP towards Kannadigas is manifesting itself into a 'Murder Plot' to kill Karnataka's Son of the Soil, Kharge," the statement from the party said. It added: "The Prime Minister and the BJP leadership remain "mute" as "assassination plot" brews".

It has to be noted that Manikanth Rathod was arrested last November for allegedly threatening Priyank Kharge with murder and released later on bail.

However, the Kharges were recently in the news over their remarks against the Prime Minister.

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge triggered a controversy after he likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a "poisonous snake". Just days later, his son and former minister Priyank Kharge called Narendra Modi 'nalayak'.

Responding to the allegations made by the Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said an investigation would be conducted to find out the authenticity of the audio recording.

He said, "I do not know about the audio. That will be investigated. We will take it seriously and get it investigated."

With inputs from ANI