Kalaburagi, Jun 14 (UNI) In a scathing attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said the grand old party has lost the people's confidence and that its leaders are "not even fit to sit in the Opposition."

Responding to Kharge's controversial remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Joshi told reporters, "We don't need a certificate from Kharge. The people of India decide who should lead them. You (Congress) have been so thoroughly rejected that even the role of Opposition leader seemed out of reach for you in the last two terms. And this time too, despite peddling false narratives, wherever elections have been held, you've faced humiliating defeats (after the Lok Sabha elections)."

"You are not even fit to sit in the Opposition — what nonsense are you talking?" Joshi added, in a blunt remark that is likely to stoke political tensions.

On June 11, the day Prime Minister Modi completed 11 years in office, Kharge accused the PM of lying and manipulating people for votes. "I have never seen a prime minister who lies so extensively and manipulates to (win) votes," Kharge had said, demanding accountability from the government on several national issues.

Hitting back, Joshi said such remarks were an insult to the democratic mandate.

"After Nehru and Indira Gandhi, only Narendra Modi has returned for a third consecutive term. That itself is the people's verdict. What does it mean when you question it? It’s nothing but an insult to India's voters," he stated.

Meanwhile, Joshi also addressed the recent Air India aircraft incident, terming it "deeply unfortunate." He assured that the Government of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have taken the matter seriously.

"A full investigation is underway. Whatever needs to be done to prevent such incidents in future will be done. The families of the deceased will receive compensation, and full care will be provided to the injured," he said.

The Minister added that both the DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry are taking the incident "with utmost seriousness," and necessary precautions will be taken to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.

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