Congress on Saturday alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was plotting to kill its party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and his family.
While addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that BJP candidate from Chittapur Manikanta Rathod threatened Kharge and used abusive language.
Rathod's audio clip 'threatening' Kharge and his family was played at the press conference.
"Plotting to kill the president of Congress Shri Mallikarjun Kharge his wife and children is not something that anybody should brush aside," said Surjewala.
“It should be taken very seriously,” added Surjewala.
Launching an attack at Rathod, Surjewala said that "And it's not an ordinary person. It is the blue-eyed boy, the Chittapur BJP candidate whose track record you know better than me, of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Basavaraj Bommai."
Rathod is contesting against Congress president Kharge's son Priyank Kharge in Chittapur constituency. He is facing over 30 criminal charges. On November 13, 2022, Rathod was arrested for allegedly threatening Priyank Kharge. He was later released on bail.
He also added that the prime minister, Karnataka police and the Election Commission of India will remain mute to the issue and won't take any necessary action against him.
Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera was also present at the conference.
The audio clip was later shared on social media.
After the allegations were raised by Congress, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said that an inquiry will be launched into the allegations.
"We have taken the matter seriously. We will inquire into the whole thing and the law will take its action," Bommai told ANI.
Meanwhile, Rathod denied the accusations against him and said that the audio was fake and fabricated by the Congress.
As PM Modi embarked on a grand roadshow in Bengaluru, Congress called Modi a "master of distortion". "The Master Of Distortion & Incitement (‘Abuse’ No. 92??) is arriving in Bengaluru today. We already know what he’ll say to inflame prejudice & bigotry. He will of course stay absolutely silent on the real issues of Karnataka," tweeted Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh.