Mallikarjun Kharge Priyanka Gandhi nomination: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the Congress, accusing the party of disrespecting its president, Mallikarjun Kharge, after a video surfaced showing him waiting outside a room where Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nomination papers for the Wayanad bypolls. The video, shared widely by BJP leaders including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, led to accusations that the Congress harbors disdain for Dalits.BJPs claims and the viral videoIn the video, Kharge, a Dalit leader, can be seen standing outside while Priyanka files her nomination. The BJP quickly used the footage to claim that the Congress was sidelining its party chief, with the partys leaders alleging it as evidence of the Congress disregard for Dalit leaders. BJP leaders circulated the video, accusing Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of intending to remove reservation and disrespect Dalit representation.The Congress party insults Dalit!The Congress party kept Mallikarjun Kharge out of the room because he was a Dalit.They insulted Sitaram Kesari, they insulted Kumari Shelja and now they insult Malikarjun Kharge.Congress hates Dalit.Its yet again proven during Priyanka… pic.twitter.com/K3Ya2kAWzB— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) October 23, 2024Social media response and clarificationIn response, social media users posted images of Kharge alongside Sonia and Rahul Gandhi during the nomination process, offering a different perspective. As per India Todays correspondent who was present at the event, the situation was more procedural than disrespectful.What actually happenedPriyanka Gandhi, contesting the Wayanad bypolls after the seat was vacated by Rahul Gandhi, was scheduled to file her nomination at the district collectors office in Kalpetta at 1 p.m. However, she arrived slightly late, around 1:24 p.m., accompanied by her husband Robert Vadra and son. Due to Election Commission regulations, the entire nomination process was videographed, and only one proposer is required for candidates of a recognized national party.Priyanka informed the returning officer (RO) that her mother Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Kharge were delayed but would arrive shortly. As the nomination submission was in progress, Sonia Gandhi and Kharge arrived, but due to ongoing scrutiny of the papers, they had to wait outside as per the procedural requirements.Robert Vadra and his son exited the room when Sonia Gandhi and Kharge were allowed to enter, followed by Rahul Gandhi who also had to wait outside during the initial part of the nomination.BJP showcases Congress disdain for Dalit leader Despite the procedural nature of the incident, only the part where Kharge was seen waiting outside was highlighted by the BJP to attack the Congress. If the Congress can insult their own president like this, it shows their disdain for Dalits, the BJP alleged, using the incident to criticize the partys stance on reservation and representation.
