Cong-BJP Clash Over Viral Video of Mallikarjun Kharge Waiting Outside Priyanka Gandhi’s Nomination Room

The Congress and BJP clashed on Wednesday after a video surfaced showing Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge waiting outside a room where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was filing her nomination papers for Wayanad. BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and Amit Malviya, used the clip to accuse Congress of disrespecting Kharge, a prominent Dalit leader.

In the video, Kharge is seen peering through the door during the nomination process. Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X, expressed disappointment, accusing the Congress of treating Kharge as a “rubber stamp” and showing disregard for Dalit leaders. Chandrasekhar questioned why Kharge was not present inside the room, suggesting that the Congress leadership treated him with contempt. Amit Malviya also chimed in, asking if Kharge was sidelined because of his Dalit identity. The BJP’s official X handle shared the same video, alleging that this incident reflected the party’s larger disregard for the Dalit community.

In response, Congress refuted the claims, posting photos showing Kharge seated alongside Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate called the BJP’s accusations baseless and criticized the BJP leaders for misleading the public. She explained that due to election protocols, only a limited number of people were allowed inside the room at any given time. Shrinate’s retorts were directed at Sarma, Malviya, and Chandrasekhar, dismissing their claims as false and politically motivated.

BJP has alleged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was kept waiting as the Gandhis were seated inside the DM’s office for the Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s nomination in Wayanad.

Did Congress snub Kharge? Here’s a video of the whole incident.@kharge @priyankagandhi… pic.twitter.com/wW8KfHmyiG

— Telangana Awaaz (@telanganaawaaz) October 25, 2024