Bihar BJP Stages Protest in Patna Over Kharge's Remarks on Modi's Family

Patna, October 27, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest march in Patna on Monday, October 26, over remarks made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father. The demonstration was part of a wider political dispute, with BJP leaders demanding an apology from Kharge and criticising the Congress leadership.

According to reports by Devdiscourse and United News of India, the protest was led by Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi. Party workers marched through parts of Patna, raised slogans against the Congress leadership and burned an effigy of Kharge.

BJP Organises Protest March in Patna

The BJP Patna Metropolitan unit organised the demonstration following Kharge’s remarks at an event in Patna commemorating the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Dr Krishna Singh.

The event became controversial after an audience member interrupted Kharge during his address. A verbal exchange followed, and Kharge made a remark referring to the Prime Minister’s father that drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders.

Saraogi condemned the comment and argued that political disagreements should not extend to personal remarks about family members, particularly those who have passed away. He also called on the Congress leadership to apologise.

These statements reflected the BJP’s position in the dispute. The controversy has also prompted the Congress to challenge the BJP’s interpretation of the exchange.

Senior BJP Leaders Join Demonstration

Several BJP leaders and office-bearers participated in the Patna protest. Those reported to have attended included Bihar Cooperation Minister Ram Kripal Yadav, Assembly chief whip Sanjeev Chaurasia and legislators Ratnesh Kushwaha and others.

During the demonstration, BJP leaders accused the Congress of lowering the standards of political discourse. They argued that criticism of a Prime Minister’s policies and decisions should remain separate from comments about family members.

The BJP also announced plans for protests at party headquarters across the country, extending the dispute beyond Bihar.

Congress Challenges BJP’s Interpretation

The Congress disputed the BJP’s portrayal of the remarks and offered a different account of the exchange at the Patna event.

Congress leaders argued that Kharge’s response followed an interruption from the audience. The party’s communications representatives also alleged that a BJP supporter had first made a provocative remark about Kharge’s father, prompting the exchange.

The competing accounts have become central to the political dispute. The BJP has demanded an apology, while Congress leaders have defended Kharge’s response and criticised what they describe as selective presentation of the incident.

Political Dispute Spreads Beyond Bihar

The controversy has prompted criticism from BJP leaders at the national level, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. BJP demonstrations were also reported in other parts of India, with party workers calling for an apology from Kharge.

The episode has added to the ongoing rivalry between the BJP and Congress, in which public statements by senior leaders frequently become subjects of political debate.

The Patna protest also highlights the role of state party units in responding to national controversies. Bihar’s BJP leadership used the demonstration to communicate its objections locally while supporting the party’s broader response.

Conclusion

The Bihar BJP’s protest march in Patna on October 26 brought the dispute over Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks about Narendra Modi’s late father into the streets. Led by Sanjay Saraogi, BJP leaders and workers demanded an apology and criticised the Congress leadership.

The Congress has challenged the BJP’s interpretation of the exchange, leaving both parties at odds over the incident. Further statements from the parties and any developments relating to complaints filed over the remarks will determine how the controversy progresses.