‘Razakars burnt your village…’: Yogi Adityanath questions Kharge's silence over attack on family, cites vote bank politics

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has remained silent on the tragic deaths of his mother and sister, allegedly caused by Razakars. The CM suggested this was due to Kharge's fear of losing Muslim votes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was speaking at a rally in Maharashtra’s Amravati ahead of the November 20 polls in the state. He accused Kharge of suppressing his personal tragedies for political gains. The CM alleged that the Congress party disregards historical atrocities in order to maintain its electoral base.

Kharge has conveniently forgotten the history of the Razakars under the Nizam of Hyderabad despite the personal loss he had suffered, Adityanath said.

“(Mallikarjun) Kharge's village, Varawatti, was also burned down by Razakars, and his mother, aunt, and sister died in the attacks,” the Uttar Pradesh chief minister was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Adityanath alleged that Kharge was suppressing the truth out of concern that discussing these events could lead to a loss of Muslim votes.

Congress is trying to reject history and Kharge has conveniently forgotten what happened to his family, just for vote bank politics, Adityanath stated.

The Razakars was a paramilitary force that operated in the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad with a primary objective to maintain the rule of the Muslim Nizams of Hyderabad and prevent the accession of Hyderabad to India.

His comments came days after Kharge launched an attack on the seer-turned-politician on his saffron attire and "Batenge to Katenge" slogan. Kharge had previously stated that many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians -- in what was seen as a veiled attack on Yogi Adityanath.