Chirag Paswan Criticizes Kharge Over Health Comments, Sparks Debate

Union Minister Chirag Paswan accused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of using his health for political gains, following Kharge’s remarks about staying alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from power. This has sparked a broader debate involving BJP leaders, who have questioned the decorum and intentions behind such statements.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday accused Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of exploiting his health for political purposes. This criticism came in response to Kharge's remark about staying alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ousted from office. In a statement to reporters in Patna, Paswan remarked, 'Mallikarjun Kharge is much older than me in age, status, and experience. We all respect his experience. Many young leaders learn from him. In such a situation, using such language is not right... Yesterday we were worried about his health.'

'On one hand, the Prime Minister enquired about his health, and on the other hand, he is doing politics. What kind of thinking is this that you are using your health for politics?' BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed the sentiment, accusing the Congress of employing abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Poonawalla stated, 'We pray to God to give a long and healthy life to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge...But everyone can see that on one hand, our culture is that PM Modi immediately enquired about Mallikarjun Kharge's well-being, whereas on the other hand, abusive words are used for PM Modi by Congress...This shows their (Congress) culture.' Kharge's comments came after he felt unwell during a campaign rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Sunday. After resting, Kharge mentioned that he will not die until PM Modi is 'removed from power.'

'We will fight to restore statehood. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power,' Kharge declared. Responding to his remarks, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed a public rally in Haryana, 'I respect the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, but yesterday in one of his rallies he might not be keeping well, and the security personnel were helping him, and even then he was saying I will stay alive until I remove Modi Ji from chair. I would like to tell him that the maximum age in Kalyug is 125 years. I pray to God that Mallikarjun Kharge lives for 125 years and PM Modi remains the PM for 125 years.'

Haryana will go to the polls on October 5 to elect its 90-member state legislative assembly, with the counting set for October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, securing 40 seats, while Congress won 30 seats. The BJP is confident of forming the government in the state for a third term. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)