The Election Commission of India on Wednesday took serious note of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge allegedly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” and issued a stern notice asking him to explain his remarks within 24 hours, officials said.

The action comes just a day before polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, adding fresh political tension ahead of crucial elections.

According to officials, the Commission has treated the matter with urgency due to the sensitivity of the statement made during the election period.

The controversy erupted on Tuesday after Kharge, while addressing a press conference in Chennai, criticised the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP and questioned its ideological stand.

While speaking about the alliance, Kharge said, “How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai... how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist... He doesn't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice...”

The remark triggered immediate backlash from the BJP, which accused the Congress president of crossing political limits and using unacceptable language against the Prime Minister.

However, Kharge later clarified his statement, saying his intention was not to call the Prime Minister a terrorist in a literal sense, but to accuse him of “terrorising” democratic institutions and opposition parties.

“He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). He is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, maligning opposition parties,” Kharge said while responding to reporters.

Despite the clarification, the Election Commission has sought a formal explanation, stating that the matter involves sensitive political language during an active election period and requires immediate response.