Jaipur, April 7 Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday alleged that the BJP's "anti-Dalit mindset" has been exposed by the remarks made by the Assam chief minister against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier in the day criticized Kharge, claiming that he was "speaking like a madman" due to his age.
"The comments against Kharge are condemnable and reflect a decline in political discourse. Kharge has had a long public life, and using such language against a leader of his stature is unacceptable in a civilized society," the former Rajasthan chief minister said.
He alleged that Sarma frequently makes remarks against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders in an attempt to demonstrate loyalty to his party leadership.
He also criticized the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, saying it was "unfortunate" and indicated that such incidents do not concern the BJP leadership.
Gehlot alleged that the episode reflected the BJP's attitude towards the Dalit community.
The Assam chief minister's comments against Kharge came amid the political drama surrounding Congress leader Pawan Khera's allegations that Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, had multiple passports and foreign property, which were not declared in the chief minister's election affidavit. Kharge later put the onus on central agencies to probe the charges.