BJP hits out at Kharge over mispronouncing names of President Murmu, Kovind; seeks apology

Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is receiving a backlash after he mispronounced the names of President Droupadi Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Speaking at an event in Chhattisgarh on Monday, Kharge could be heard referring to the President as “Murma ji”. However, he went to immediately correct himself upon realising the mistake. Seconds later, he mispronounced “Kovind” as “Covid”.

His remarks came as he was speaking over the issue of large-scale cutting of trees in the forests of Chhattisgarh. The Congress President accused the BJP and its “industrialist friends” of land grab.

As Kharge’s remarks went viral on social media, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to X and reminded how Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury referred to President Murmu as ‘Rashtrapatni’ in January 2022, resulting in a massive uproar.

“Kharge ji calls Murmu ji as “Murmaa" ji. Mispronounced Kovind ji name. Then calls them land looters,” Ponawalla wrote.

“This is not Sanyog – it’s an Udyog," he added.

Kharge ji's venomous and diabolical attack on Presidents Murmu ji and Kovind ji exposes the dangerous deep rooted Dalit Virodhi mindset of the Congress party. For the Congress party not Dalit welfare but only Dynastic welfare has always been top priority. Right from denying Dr.… pic.twitter.com/husj6YSkVz

— C.R.Kesavan (@crkesavan) July 8, 2025

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia charged that Kharge used "objectionable words for President Droupadi Murmu ji and former President Ram Nath Kovind ji”.

This shows the "anti-Dalit, anti-Adivasi and anti-Constitution" mindset of the Congress in its DNA, he said.

"You (Kharge) talk big - you called Ram Nath Kovind ji 'covid'.... You call 'Murma ji' and then called her (President Droupadi Murmu) a land mafia, alleging that she has become President to snatch away assets, forests," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Bhatia demanded that Kharge apologise for making "distasteful and derogatory" remarks against Murmu and Kovind, alleging the Congress president did not only insult them but also hurt the sentiments of Adivasi and Dalit community members with his comments.