Patna/New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s sharp comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Patna event on Sunday has set off a major political row. The BJP called it an insult to the Prime Minister and his late father, and announced protests across the country.
The incident happened at Bapu Sabhagar during an event marking the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh. Kharge was speaking when a man in the audience was heard saying, “… Modi nahin jayega (will not go/lose power).”
Kharge replied from the stage: “Modi ka baap bhi jayega (Even his father will have to go).” He said the line three times.
The man, later identified as Santosh Kumar, was surrounded by Congress supporters, beaten and thrown out of the venue.
What He Actually Meant
Soon after, Kumar gave a different explanation. He said he was not supporting Modi, but had been cut off midway, as reported by NDTV.
“I was saying that ‘unless there is a revolt, Modi will not go’. But only a part of it was heard and was misunderstood,” Kumar said after having been pushed out of the venue.
According to reports, Kharge was alleging electoral fraud and saying that Modi would “go to jail” when Kumar’s incomplete sentence was heard in the hall. That, Kumar said, led to the confusion.
The ruckus began when the words “Modi kahin nahin jayega” rang across the venue. Kharge reacted angrily, and Kumar was quickly attacked and pushed outside.
BJP Hits Back Hard
The BJP reacted sharply once the video spread. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Kharge had “torn apart all norms of decorum”.
“This is not the first time that the Congress party has used abusive language against Modi ji or his family. They have hurled insults at his revered mother, called him ‘merchant of death’, and mocked his poverty by calling him ‘chaiwala’. Under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, the Congress party keeps crossing the limits of indecency every day,” he said.
Party spokesperson Tuhin A Sinha called the remark “disgusting, petulant, uncouth”.
BJP chief Nitin Nabin, who hails from Bihar, said: “When the Opposition has no solid issues left to debate on the country’s development, policies, and public welfare schemes, they resort to this kind of desperation and personal attacks.”
Union Minister Giriraj Singh said PM Modi, who turned 76 in September, “will stay in power for at least another 30 years”.
Congress Defends Kharge
The Congress stood by Kharge. Spokesperson Surendra Rajput said, “Kharge ji only used an idiom. PM Modi has said much worse comments.”
The row has further heated up tensions between the two parties at a time when allegations of electoral irregularities have already triggered widespread protests.