My statement was not for PM Modi, but for ideology he represents: Kharge on 'poisonous snake' barb

New Delhi/Bengaluru: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge backtracked from his “poisonous snake” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a poll rally in Karnataka and said his intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings and the “statement was not for PM Modi, but for the ideology he represents”.

“My intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings, if knowingly or unknowingly someone’s feelings were hurt, it was never my intention,” Kharge said in a series of tweets in Hindi.

“BJP’s ideology is divisive, disharmonious, full of hatred and prejudice towards the poor and Dalits. I discussed this politics of hatred and malice. My statement was neither for PM Modi personally nor for any other person, but for the ideology he represents,” he said.

“Our fight with PM Modi is not personal. It is an ideological battle. My intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings and if knowingly or unknowingly someone’s feelings were hurt, then it was never my intention and nor has it been the conduct of my long political life,” he further said.

Addressing a poll rally at Ron in Gadag district of Karnataka, the Congress President likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a poisonous snake, drawing the BJP’s ire.