The party's national president targeted the Prime Minister for taking out time to "pose for pictures, in new clothes, swimming" but not visiting the strife-torn northeastern state of Manipur.
In a press conference on Saturday, Kharge went on to claim that the Prime Minister was "busy with inaugurating Mandir, but he does not pay heed to the ordeal of ongoing violence in Manipur".
"An unfortunate incident occurred in Manipur, but PM Modi either went to the beach, had a photo session swimming, went for photos at the ongoing temple construction site or went to Kerala and Mumbai. He goes everywhere, you can see his photos everywhere...Just like the 'darshan' of God first thing after waking up. But why did this great man not go to Manipur?..." Kharge said at the press briefing.
Kharge's statements follow prolonged ethnic violence in Manipur, since May 2023, wherein more than 180 people have been killed and several hundred injured due to conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Several sexual assault cases and heinous crimes have also been reported in the northeastern state since May last year.
His statements also come in the light of his party's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', the Manipur-to-Mumbai foot march led by Rahul Gandhi, which is slated to begin on Jan 14.
Speaking about the upcoming yatra, Kharge, earlier today, said, "The platform of 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' is also to connect NGOs, journalists, farmers, small traders, Dalits-backward classes, tribals and the intellectual class. This journey is not only a platform to convey one's views to the public, but also to listen to the voices of the public and their problems."
The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' is set to cover over 6,700 kilometres over 66 days, going through 110 districts. The yatra will start in the northeastern states, will cut through the north and central, and conclude in Maharashtra on March 20.
Echoing claims of other ally parties under the Opposition's INDIA bloc, Kharge said that the BJP-led Centre had been misusing central agencies to "intimidate the Opposition".
"When these people (agencies) catch Opposition members, they impose any case on them. But as soon as that man joins the BJP, his image becomes clear. After all, where is this justice?" Kharge asked.
At the press conference, Kharge, while unveiling the logo of the upcoming foot march, said that the main objective of the mega rally was to "protect the Constitution and join voices againt existing dictatorship" in the country.
