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Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s scathing attack on PM Narendra Modi elicited a strong response from the BJP that called his remarks “elitist arrogance”
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge (R) said the BJP-led Centre prioritises electoral propaganda over genuine progress for the poor. (Image: PTI/File)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s chaiwala narrative as “drama” for votes, eliciting a strong response from the BJP that called his remarks “elitist arrogance”.
In his scathing attack on Modi, Kharge questioned him if he has “ever made tea”, challenging the authenticity of what he called this working-class background “narrative”.
“He says ‘I am a chaiwala‘ only to garner votes,” Kharge said, addressing the National MGNREGA Workers’ Convention organised by the Rachnatmak Congress. “Have you ever made tea and moved around inside train compartments with a kettle of tea?”
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The arrogance of Congress never comes down!On the instructions of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge insults PM Narendra Modi by saying — “Kabhi chai banaya hai?”From abusing PM @narendramodi Ji’s mother to targeting him with daily personal attacks — all because he stands… pic.twitter.com/5x6m0hA3Y6— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) January 22, 2026
He said the BJP-led Centre prioritises electoral propaganda over genuine progress for the poor, characterising Modi’s claims as mere “drama”. He said if the leadership had ever performed hard labour themselves, they would truly understand the “pain of workers”.
Kharge further criticised the central government’s infrastructure record alleging that despite the intense hype surrounding high-speed rail and Vande Bharat trains, basic railway development has stagnated compared to previous eras. He said while the PM is quick to “wave the green flag” at inaugurations, his administration has failed to lay new tracks at the pace seen during the UPA rule or under India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
“Modi ji says they will bring bullet trains, but forget bullet trains – even new railway tracks they haven’t been able to lay,” he said.
He ended his speech by describing the administration as a “government of two people” — Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah — who “just keep roaming around doing election propaganda”.
The BJP condemned his remarks as a sign of “elitist arrogance”, saying the Prime Minister is being targeted because he protects the country from radical ideologies. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the “arrogance of Congress never comes down”, alleging that Kharge was acting on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi.
The arrogance of Congress never comes down! On the instructions of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge insults PM Narendra Modi by saying — “Kabhi chai banaya hai?” From abusing PM Narendra Modi Ji’s mother to targeting him with daily personal attacks — all because he stands firmly between Urban Naxals and Bharat. The people of India will teach Congress a lesson in 2029, just like they did in 2014!” Bhandari said in a post on X.
(With PTI inputs)
January 22, 2026, 19:45 IST
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