Calling Kharge a "remote-controlled" national president of the Congress, the BJP spokesperson alleged that he made "objectionable comments" at the behest of party leader Rahul Gandhi.

"Entire India, Adivasi society, Dalit society and women are condemning Mallikarjun Kharge and the Congress," he added.

Responding to the allegations, Congress leader Pawan Khera said it reflected the "regressive mindset" of the BJP and accused it of "hypocrisy" and "exploiting the land and resources" of the tribal population.

"This reflects BJP's deeply regressive mindset... Similarly, they present the President as a symbol, while on the ground, they exploit tribal communities, cutting thousands of trees in Chhattisgarh, and taking away their land, forests, and water," he told IANS.

"BJP’s ideology is riddled with hypocrisy. On one hand, they claim to champion the rights of tribal communities, but on the other, they exploit their land and resources without hesitation. They cut down forests, displace indigenous people, and rob them of their jal, jungle, and zameen. And when questioned, they deflect by pointing to the symbolic elevation of a Tribal individual as President, as if tokenism can erase systemic exploitation," the Congress leader said in a post on X.

(With inputs from PTI, IANS)