NEW DELHI: As a political firestorm erupted on Tuesday after Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge allegedly disrespected President Droupadi Murmu and her predecessor Ram Nath Kovind by reportedly referring to them as "Murma ji" and “Covid" respectively, the Congress hit back and accused the BJP of looting tribal lands, jungles and resources.
As the BJP called the Congress "anti-women, anti-Dalit, and anti-tribal", senior Congress leader Pawan Khera refuted the claims that Kharge disrespected President Murmu and ex-President Kovind.
Dismissing the BJP’s outrage as “hypocritical and selective, ” Khera told IANS on Tuesday, “this reflects the narrow mindset of the BJP."
Referring to the lynching of Akhlaq and Pehlu Khan by a mob, he said, "This is the same mindset that shows Colonel Sophia on the one side and on the other side commits atrocities against minorities."