Patna, Oct. 25 -- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge triggered a political controversy on Sunday after making a derogatory remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father during an event in Patna, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders and other constituents of the ruling NDA.
The incident occurred at a programme marking the 139th birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh, Bihar's first chief minister. Kharge was speaking about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls when he said the Congress would send those responsible to jail. An audience member responded that Modi would not leave office as long as there was no rebellion. Kharge retorted, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father will go).
The remarks prompted condemnation from senior BJP, JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha leaders, who accused the Congress chief of violating political decorum.
BJP president Nitin Nabin described the comment as evidence of the Congress's ideological bankruptcy, saying political opposition must maintain dignity. He accused the party of bringing departed family members into political speeches and warned that voters would respond to what he called indecent politics.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Kharge had violated established standards of public conduct. He alleged that the Congress had repeatedly targeted Modi and his family with insulting remarks and attributed the party's conduct to frustration over successive electoral defeats. Shah also claimed the party was losing support among its own workers.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary demanded an apology from Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, describing the remark as unfortunate and alleging that it reflected hostility towards the prime minister's family.
Union minister J P Nadda also criticised the Congress, saying disparaging comments about Modi and his family reflected a lack of political decorum and disrespected the electorate. BJP MP Sambit Patra alleged that Kharge had made the statement at Rahul Gandhi's behest, while party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded apologies from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad condemned Kharge's language and rejected his allegations concerning the SIR exercise and Bihar elections. He maintained that the polls had been conducted honestly, impartially and transparently, adding that the Congress had been reduced to six seats in the state. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said ideological differences were natural in a democracy but public representatives must respect the dignity of their offices and maintain appropriate language.
Union minister and HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi said political parties had a responsibility to preserve decorum when referring to the prime minister. He argued that abusive language did not weaken a leader but exposed the mindset of those using it.
Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi accused the Congress of disrespecting the people's mandate and alleged that Kharge was following the Gandhi family's political line.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.