Political Firestorm Over Mallikarjun Kharge’s Remarks: BJP Launches Nationwide Protests Against Congress Chief



New Delhi, October 26, 2026: A fresh political controversy has erupted in India after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a controversial remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father during a public event in Patna, Bihar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced nationwide protests, demanding an unconditional apology from the Congress leader and accusing him of violating the standards of political discourse.

The controversy has intensified tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with senior leaders from both sides exchanging sharp criticism. A police complaint has also been filed against Kharge in Patna, adding another dimension to the political dispute.



What Did Mallikarjun Kharge Say?

The controversy began on October 25, when Kharge addressed a programme at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna to mark the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first chief minister, Shri Krishna Singh.

During his speech, the Congress president criticised the BJP-led government and raised allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Congress has alleged that the process could lead to the deletion of eligible voters’ names, particularly those supporting opposition parties. The BJP has disputed the opposition’s accusations.

During the address, an audience member interrupted Kharge, insisting that Prime Minister Modi would not leave office. Kharge responded with the remark, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega,” triggering an immediate political backlash.

The comment drew criticism from BJP leaders, who argued that political disagreements should focus on public policies and governance rather than personal references to family members.



BJP Announces Nationwide Protests

Following the controversy, the BJP announced demonstrations at party headquarters across state capitals on October 26. The party described Kharge’s remarks as offensive and demanded an unconditional apology from the Congress president.

BJP leaders said the protests were intended to register their opposition to what they consider unacceptable language in political debate. The party also called on the Congress leadership to take responsibility for the statement.

The issue has quickly become a fresh point of confrontation between the two national parties, with the BJP seeking to make the remarks a central political issue.

In Patna, the Bihar BJP organised a protest march from its state headquarters towards Income Tax Golambar. Led by state BJP president Sanjay Saraogi, demonstrators raised slogans against Kharge and burnt his effigy. The protest reflected the growing anger among BJP workers over the Congress president’s comments.







Amit Shah and Other BJP Leaders Condemn the Remarks

Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticised Kharge’s statement, accusing the Congress leadership of crossing the boundaries of political decorum. Shah argued that personal attacks against the prime minister and his family were inappropriate and reflected a decline in the quality of political debate.

Other BJP leaders also demanded an apology, describing the comment as an example of what they consider the Congress’s increasingly confrontational political approach.

The BJP has maintained that political criticism should remain focused on policies, decisions and governance rather than remarks involving a leader’s family. The party’s demand for an apology has become a central feature of its response to the controversy.



Congress Pushes Back Against BJP's Criticism

The Congress and its supporters have challenged the BJP’s interpretation of the incident, arguing that the remark came as a spontaneous response to an interruption during Kharge’s speech.

Congress MP Pawan Khera alleged that the person who interrupted Kharge was a BJP worker. The BJP, meanwhile, has continued to criticise the Congress president and demand an apology.

The exchange illustrates how statements made during public speeches can rapidly become national political controversies, particularly when they involve senior leaders from opposing parties.

The disagreement also comes amid broader political tensions over electoral rolls, voting rights and allegations of electoral irregularities. The Congress has raised concerns about the SIR process, while the BJP has rejected the opposition’s accusations.



Police Complaint Filed Against Kharge in Patna

The controversy has also taken a formal turn, with a BJP worker filing a police complaint against Kharge in Patna on October 25.

According to reports, the complaint was submitted at the Kotwali police station. A police officer said it would be transferred to the Gandhi Maidan police station because the incident occurred within that station’s jurisdiction.

The complaint adds a legal dimension to the dispute. However, the filing of a complaint does not itself establish that an offence has occurred, and any legal conclusions would depend on the subsequent process and findings of the relevant authorities.



Political Debate Over Language and Public Discourse

The controversy has renewed discussion about the language used by political leaders during public speeches and election campaigns.

Political parties routinely criticise one another over policies, leadership and governance. However, personal remarks can shift public attention away from substantive issues and towards disputes over political etiquette.

The BJP argues that Kharge’s statement crossed an acceptable boundary, while Congress supporters have highlighted the context in which the response was made. The competing interpretations reflect the wider political divide between the two parties.

The episode also raises questions about the responsibility of senior political figures to maintain standards of public communication, particularly when addressing large audiences during politically sensitive periods.



What Happens Next?

The BJP’s nationwide demonstrations and its demand for an unconditional apology are likely to keep the controversy in the political spotlight. The police complaint may also attract further attention as the authorities determine the appropriate next steps.

The Congress’s response to the BJP’s demands will be closely watched, as will any further statements from senior leaders of both parties.

For now, the dispute has added another chapter to the ongoing confrontation between the BJP and Congress. Beyond the immediate political exchanges, the controversy highlights the continuing debate over political accountability, public language and the standards expected from India’s senior political leadership.

As the situation develops, the focus will remain on whether the parties move towards clarification and de-escalation or continue their public confrontation.



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