Kharge’s Patna jibe stirs political row

The BJP on Sunday condemned a provocative statement made at a Patna event by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Responding to Kharge’s statement that the Congress will send those involved in carrying out alleged irregularities in the SIR process to jail, a person from the audience shouted, “As long as there is no rebellion, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi won’t go anywhere.” Kharge lost his cool and said, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega (Let alone Modi, even his father would go).”

His remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the Congress chief of crossing all limits of propriety by making an “indecent remark” about the PM’s late father.

Kharge was speaking at the 139th birth anniversary celebration of Bihar’s first chief minister, Dr Shri Krishna Singh, popularly known as Sri Babu.

The Congress president subsequently launched an attack on Modi and accused the PM of repeatedly lying, questioning his promise to bring back black money within the first 100 days of his Government. He also criticised the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing the organisation of engaging in communal activities since its inception and arguing that its ideology stood in the way of peace. He further accused the RSS and the BJP for harbouring anti-constitutional views, particularly on the issue of untouchability.

“This is not the first time the Congress party has used abusive language against Modi ji or his family. At times, they have used derogatory language regarding his revered mother; at other times, they have labeled him a merchant of death, or mocked his humble background by calling him a tea seller…

Having faced continuous electoral defeats over the last 12 years, the Congress party has become so consumed by frustration and despair that it is now left with neither policies nor issues-only a politics of abuse… Every time they have made vile remarks about Modi ji or his family, the public has given the Congress a fitting and stern response,” Shah posted on X.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary condemned Kharge’s remarks and sought an apology from the Congress in a video message on X.

BJP leader Nitin Nabin posted on X, “The indecent and unparliamentary language used today in Patna by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge against the country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, reflects the ideological bankruptcy of the Congress party… This is not merely a personal statement by Kharge, but a manifestation of the utter lack of decorum within the Congress party as a whole. The people of this country are observing this undignified brand of politics closely, and when the time comes, they will deliver a fitting response.”

Congress leader Husain Dalwai, however, defended the substance of Kharge’s criticism, saying it reflected concerns about the Government’s record over the past 12 to 13 years.

Speaking in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Dalwai accused the government of making several mistakes and subjecting people to hardship. “These are all things that are on our president’s mind. A full account will be taken of this,” Dalwai said.

He said the Congress would hold the Government accountable for its decisions if it came to power in 2029, including alleged irregularities and mistakes in foreign policy.

Kharge also criticised former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), arguing that the move marked a departure from the socialist ideology with which the Janata Dal (United) leader had entered politics.