Kharge's remark about Modi's father triggers BJP backlash in Patna

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a political controversy on Sunday during an event in Patna marking the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar's first chief minister, Shrikrishna Singh. While speaking, an audience member shouted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not go anywhere unless there was a rebellion. Kharge responded by saying, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega," meaning "Even Modi's father will go," and reportedly repeated the remark twice.

The audience member, identified as Santhosh Kumar, a Congress worker from Chhapra, said his words were misunderstood. He claimed he meant that Modi would not leave office unless there was a rebellion in the country. Kumar said people mistook him for a BJP worker when he spoke during the event.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president Nitin Nabin condemned the remark as indecent and unparliamentary. Shah accused Kharge of crossing the limits of political decorum by referring to the Prime Minister's late father. He cited previous Congress remarks about Modi's mother, calling him a 'merchant of death,' and using 'chaiwala' to mock his background.

Nabin said the language used toward the Prime Minister reflects the Congress party's ideological bankruptcy. He stated that dragging departed family members into speeches has become the culture of Rahul Gandhi and the entire opposition. The BJP said it will hold protests against Kharge's remarks across the country on Monday.

Senior leaders of the BJP, JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and Hindustani Awam Morcha also condemned the comments. They said the language was associated with thugs and hooligans. The controversy follows repeated clashes between the Congress and BJP over political rhetoric and personal attacks.