Congress chief's son Priyank Kharge gets EC notice over 'nalayak' barb at PM Modi

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a notice Priyank Kharge, former minister and son of Congress president M Mallikarjun Kharge, over his 'nalayak' remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP raised with the Election Commission the issue of the Congress promising tough action against Bajrang Dal and its leader Prinyak Kharge calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'nalayak' as it accused the opposition party of resorting to politics of appeasement and division in Karnataka.

Union minister Piyush Goyal, who led the BJP delegation to the EC, said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge first called Modi a 'poisonous snake' and his MLA-son has now made another objectionable remark by calling him 'nalayak' (inept). "We have demanded that the EC take strict action in all these matters," he said.

Priyank, who is seeking reelection from Chittapur in Kalaburagi district in the May 10 Assembly polls, said the Prime Minister, while claiming to be a son of the Banjara community and promising to take care of them, was 'nalayak' (inept) because he and his party had created confusion about reservations for the SC community.

"When you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) came to Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) what did you tell the people of Banjara community? "Aap sab log dariye mat. Banjara ka ek beta Dilli mein Baitha hai (You do not be afraid. A son of Banjara is sitting in Delhi.)," said Priyank, quoting from Modi's speech.

"Aisa nalayak beta baitha to kaise hota bhai? Ghar kaise chalega?" (If an inept son is sitting in Delhi, how can you run the family?), he asked, addressing the people.

Mallikarjun Kharge, meanwhile, came to the defence of his son, saying he never made those comments.

"No. No. It is very wrong. He never said it. Don't put these words into his mouth. He attacked the parliament member who abused him (not Modi). So, don't put these words into his mouth (saying it was meant) for Modi. I am sorry, everywhere this is going on (misquoting) purposely. Morning he (Priyank) condemned it but still you people are asking," the Congress president said.