PM Modi dials Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to inquire his health after he falls ill during rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to enquire about his health hours after the Rajya Sabha MP fell ill during an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

Addressing a public rally in Kathua district, Kharge felt dizzy and was helped into a chair by his colleagues on stage. He continued his address after getting medical assistance and reassured party supporters, saying he would not die "until PM Modi is removed from power".

"These people never wanted to conduct the elections. They only started preparing for elections after the Supreme Court's intervention," Kharge said.

"We will fight to restore statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old. I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from



power. I will listen to you. I will fight for you," the Congress chief said in his address.

Kharge further accused the BJP of allowing outsiders to dominate key sectors like mining and liquor contracts in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Why has the BJP delayed restoring statehood when they hold all the power? The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve better governance, and the BJP has failed to deliver," he said.

"Modi ji is shedding crocodile tears for the future of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. The reality is that in the last 10 years, the youth of the entire country have been pushed into darkness, and Modi ji himself is responsible for this," Kharge alleged.

Kharge was campaigning for Congress candidate Thakur Balbir Singh from Jasrota ahead of October 1 polling.