In a sharp critique of Mallikarjun Kharge's alleged appeasement politics, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed on Tuesday that the Congress leader has overlooked his family’s past sacrifices in pursuit of votes. Speaking at a rally in Achalpur, Maharashtra, Adityanath referenced Kharge’s childhood tragedy in 1948, recounting how Razakars loyal to the Hyderabad Nizam burned down Kharge’s village, resulting in the deaths of his mother and sister.

Adityanath’s remarks were in response to Kharge’s recent criticism of his slogan “batenge toh katenge” (we will perish if divided). "I am a Yogi, for whom the nation is the highest priority, while for Mallikarjun Kharge, it’s about appeasement politics,” Adityanath said, adding that Kharge’s reluctance to speak out on his past shows his concern for Muslim votes.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister recounted events from the political unrest in Hyderabad before its integration into India, describing Kharge’s origins in the Bidar region of the then Hyderabad state. “If you must get angry, Kharge ji, direct it at the Hyderabad Nizam. It was the Nizam’s Razakars who burned your village and brutally attacked Hindus,” Adityanath urged.

In 1948, Hyderabad’s Nizam resisted integration with India. The Razakars, a pro-Nizam militia, committed atrocities against Hindus supportive of integration. Eventually, the Indian Army intervened, defeating the Nizam’s forces.

Adityanath also took the opportunity to criticize Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, accusing them of making the state a hub for “love jihad” and “land jihad,” which he claimed undermine national unity.

This response from Adityanath followed Kharge’s recent jibe, where he remarked that a “true yogi” wouldn’t use divisive language. “Many leaders dress in saffron and shave their heads, but a real sanyasi would stay away from politics,” Kharge said at his own rally.

Meanwhile, the Congress reacted to Adityanath’s statements with Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai asserting that Kharge has always worked for national unity.