November 12, 2024: The war of words between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge escalated on Tuesday, with the BJP leader invoking Kharge's family tragedy during a blistering attack in the run-up to Maharashtra's Assembly elections.

Speaking at a rally in Amravati, Yogi Adityanath, in a direct retort to Kharge’s recent jibe, reminded the Congress leader of the historical trauma faced by his family during the violent rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Kharge had earlier criticized Yogi for promoting “hate” and accused him of using religion as a tool to divide communities, particularly with his controversial slogan “Batenge toh katenge” (If you speak out, you will be cut down).

Kharge’s remarks were made during a speech on Sunday, where he mocked Yogi’s saffron attire and his self-styled image as a spiritual leader, suggesting that leaders like Yogi should either wear "white clothes" or "leave politics" altogether if they wish to align themselves with spiritual ideals. The Congress president also accused the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister of spreading hatred among communities and fueling divisions in society.

Yogi, however, took a different approach in his response. Addressing the crowd in Amravati, he said, "These days, Khargeji is getting angry with me. But let me remind him—Khargeji, don't be angry with me. I respect your age. If you are angry, direct it at the Hyderabad Nizam, not me."

The Uttar Pradesh CM then went on to recount the tragic events from Kharge's early life, when his village, located under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad, was burned down. Yogi claimed that Kharge’s mother and family members perished in the blaze, which he described as part of the brutal killings of Hindus during the Nizam’s regime. He said, "Your village was under the Nizam of Hyderabad when India was still under British rule. Your home was burned, and your family killed in a fire... but Khargeji has never spoken about it publicly, for fear of losing Muslim votes."

Yogi's statement was a direct reference to the painful chapter of India's history, when communal violence and persecution under the Nizam's regime led to the deaths of many Hindus, a history that is often glossed over in mainstream political discourse. Yogi accused Kharge of silencing the truth of his family's suffering in order to maintain political favor with Muslim voters, saying, “He forgot the sacrifices of his family for the sake of the Congress' vote bank.”

This was not the first time that Yogi Adityanath's rhetoric has sparked controversy during the election campaign. In August, he had made headlines with his inflammatory remarks about Bangladesh’s political turmoil, stating that India should avoid making the same mistakes as its neighboring country. His slogan, "Batenge toh katenge," became a rallying cry for those who supported his tough stance on national security and anti-terrorism, but it drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders who accused him of stoking communal flames.

While Yogi’s sharp words resonate with his supporters, they have caused a rift within his own alliance in Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), distanced himself from Yogi's inflammatory rhetoric, signaling discomfort within the broader BJP-NCP coalition ahead of the crucial Assembly polls.

Kharge, for his part, has yet to respond directly to Yogi’s attack, but Congress leaders have doubled down on their criticism of the BJP's divisive campaign strategies. They argue that the ruling party is prioritizing polarizing issues over addressing real challenges facing the state, including economic concerns and social justice.

As the Maharashtra election nears, both Yogi Adityanath and Mallikarjun Kharge continue to trade barbs, setting the stage for a fiery political showdown.