BJP slams Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over remarks about PM Modi's late father

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have strongly condemned Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late father made at an event in Patna on Sunday (October 25, 2026). The gathering marked the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar's first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh, also known as 'Bihar Kesari'. During the event, Mr. Kharge made a comment stating that even Modi's father will go, prompting a swift backlash from the ruling party. Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Mr. Kharge of tearing apart all norms of decorum and stated that the Congress party repeatedly resorts to personal attacks under Rahul Gandhi's leadership. Mr. Shah pointed out past incidents where he said the opposition party hurled insults at the Prime Minister's mother, called him a merchant of death, and mocked his poverty by addressing him as a chaiwala. He added that repeated electoral defeats over the past 12 years have left the Congress party frustrated, leading to a politics of slander where it is losing its base among both the public and its own workers.

Reactions

BJP chief Nitin Nabin labeled Mr. Kharge's language indecent and unparliamentary, asserting that dragging departed family members into public speeches has become the real culture of the opposition. Union Minister J.P. Nadda also criticised the comments, saying they reflect the party's panic over Prime Minister Modi's rising popularity and public trust. Meanwhile, the remark itself stemmed from an interaction with an audience member at the venue, identified as Santosh Kumar from Chhapra. Mr. Kumar, a dedicated Congress worker, later clarified that his own comments about the Prime Minister were taken out of context and cut short by fellow party members, which led to a misunderstanding and an alleged assault.

Context

Political speeches and public events in India frequently become flashpoints for sharp rhetorical exchanges between rival national parties, particularly during heightened political competition. Opposition leaders and ruling party figures often trade heavy criticism over personal backgrounds, governance records, and electoral trajectories. Incidents of this nature typically amplify wider debates surrounding political decorum and the boundaries of debate during public campaigns.