India, Oct. 25 -- 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 birt...