Kharge Denies Gamosa Allegation, Accuses BJP of Smear Campaign

Overview

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma demanded an unconditional apology from Rahul Gandhi, alleging disrespect to the Northeast for not wearing the Assamese gamosa at the President’s Republic Day reception.
• Mallikarjun Kharge said the claim is a lie, asserting Gandhi wore the gamosa and later held it after removing it while eating.
• Kharge cited photographs and his own eyewitness account to say Gandhi greeted Northeast artists, including hugging an artist from Arunachal Pradesh.
• Congress media head Pawan Khera highlighted a photo of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh without the patka, challenging the BJP to apply the same standard.
• Kharge alleged the government insulted him and Gandhi by placing them in the third row behind children and alongside ministers of state, and he sought an apology.