Kharge’s ‘Baap’ Remark on Modi Sparks Row; BJP Calls Language ‘Associated With Thugs’

Kharge’s Remark About Modi Sparks Political Controversy

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public event in Patna on October 25, 2026, have triggered a sharp exchange between the Congress and the BJP.

Kharge made the comment while speaking at an event marking the 139th birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh, Bihar’s first chief minister. His statement, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega”, came in response to an interruption from a person in the audience during a discussion about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The remark drew criticism from senior BJP leaders, who accused the Congress president of crossing the boundaries of acceptable political discourse.

What Did Mallikarjun Kharge Say?

During his speech, Kharge said that those responsible for alleged irregularities in the SIR process would be sent to jail.

An audience member responded that Modi would not leave power unless there was a rebellion in the country. Kharge then replied, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega”, a remark that immediately became the focus of political criticism.

The person who interrupted the speech later identified himself as Santhosh Kumar, a Congress worker from Chhapra. He said his comment had been misunderstood and that he had not intended to support the BJP.

BJP Calls the Language Indecent

BJP leaders strongly condemned Kharge’s remarks and demanded an apology from the Congress president and his party.

BJP president Nitin Nabin described the comment as indecent and unparliamentary. He argued that political opposition should be conducted with dignity and criticised the reference to the Prime Minister’s family.

The BJP also used the phrase “associated with thugs and hooligans” to attack the language used by Kharge. The party announced plans for protests against the remarks across the country on October 26.

These characterisations represent the BJP’s political response to the incident.

Amit Shah and Other BJP Leaders React

Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Kharge of violating standards of public decorum by making a remark involving Modi’s father.

Shah also referred to previous controversies involving comments about Modi and his family, arguing that the Congress had repeatedly crossed the boundaries of acceptable political language.

Other BJP leaders, including J P Nadda, Rajnath Singh and Sambit Patra, also criticised Kharge. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary demanded an apology, while leaders of NDA allies Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha also expressed disapproval.

Congress Defends Kharge, Cites Audience Interruption

The Congress rejected the BJP’s interpretation of the remark.

Party spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that an audience member had first insulted Kharge’s late father during the Patna event. According to Khera, Kharge’s response referred to Modi’s “ideological father”, the RSS, rather than being intended as a comment about the Prime Minister’s biological father.

Khera also referred to an earlier incident in Uttarakhand in August, which the Congress described as an insult to Kharge.

The Congress’s explanation differs from the BJP’s interpretation of the remark, leaving the exchange at the centre of the political dispute.

BJP Worker Files Police Complaint

The controversy also led to a police complaint against Kharge.

BJP worker Krishna Kumar Singh submitted the complaint at Patna’s Kotwali police station on Sunday evening, seeking an apology within 24 hours.

A police officer said the complaint would be transferred to Gandhi Maidan police station because the event took place within its jurisdiction.

The filing of a complaint does not establish that a criminal offence has occurred. Any further action will depend on the police examination of the complaint and the applicable legal process.

SIR Controversy Behind the Exchange

The exchange took place amid continuing political tensions over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The Congress and other opposition parties have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in voter-list revisions and have demanded accountability. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions are made under the applicable legal framework.

Kharge’s comments about sending those allegedly responsible for irregularities to jail formed part of this wider debate. The subsequent argument over his language has added another point of confrontation between the Congress and BJP.

Political Debate Over Public Language

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

The BJP has argued that references involving family members are inappropriate in political debate, while the Congress has said the remark must be understood in the context of the audience interruption and Kharge’s intended reference to the RSS.

The competing explanations highlight how a brief exchange at a political event can become part of a wider dispute over political conduct, electoral issues and public accountability.

Key Takeaways

• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made the “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” remark in Patna on October 25.

• The comment followed an audience interruption during a speech about alleged SIR irregularities.

• The BJP condemned the remark and described the language as indecent.

• BJP president Nitin Nabin and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who criticised Kharge.

• The Congress defended Kharge, claiming that an audience member had first insulted his late father.

• Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said Kharge was referring to Modi’s “ideological father”, the RSS.

• BJP worker Krishna Kumar Singh filed a police complaint and demanded an apology within 24 hours.

• Police said the complaint would be transferred to Gandhi Maidan police station.

• The controversy has intensified the political confrontation between the Congress and BJP amid the wider SIR dispute.

Bottom Line

Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prompted strong reactions from the BJP, a defence from the Congress and a police complaint in Patna. While the BJP has described the language as inappropriate, the Congress says the remark was made in response to an audience member and referred to the RSS. The dispute remains a political controversy, with any legal implications subject to the police process.