BJP Launches Nationwide Protests Against Mallikarjun Kharge Over Remarks on PM Modi’s Late Father

New Delhi: India’s political atmosphere heated up on October 26, 2026, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests across several states against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father. The controversy has triggered a fresh confrontation between the ruling party and the principal opposition party, with BJP leaders demanding an apology from Kharge and senior Congress leadership.

The dispute began during a Congress event in Patna, Bihar, on October 25, organised to mark the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh. While addressing the gathering, Kharge criticised the BJP-led government and raised allegations concerning irregularities in electoral rolls.

During his speech, an audience member reportedly challenged Kharge's remarks about Modi remaining in office. Kharge responded with the phrase “Modi ka baap bhi jayega,” which was interpreted by BJP leaders as an offensive reference to the Prime Minister’s late father.

BJP Organises Protests Across Several States

The BJP condemned Kharge’s remarks and called for demonstrations across the country. Party workers and leaders staged protests in Delhi, Patna, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Jammu and other locations.

In Patna, BJP supporters organised a march and burned an effigy of the Congress president. In Delhi, protesters gathered near Kharge’s residence, while demonstrations in other cities included slogans demanding an apology.

The BJP accused the Congress president of crossing the boundaries of political discourse by bringing the Prime Minister’s family into a political dispute. The party also called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to respond to the controversy.

Amit Shah and Other BJP Leaders Criticise Kharge

Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticised Kharge, accusing the Congress of repeatedly using inappropriate language against Modi and his family.

Shah argued that political disagreements should focus on policies, governance and public issues rather than personal remarks about family members. Other senior BJP leaders also condemned the statement and demanded an apology.

The controversy quickly became a major talking point among political leaders, with BJP representatives using the incident to question the Congress leadership’s approach to public debate.

Congress Defends Kharge, Alleges Provocation

The Congress disputed the BJP’s interpretation of the incident. Party leaders argued that Kharge had been responding to a provocation from the audience and that his remarks had been taken out of context.

Congress leaders also alleged that a person in the audience had first made a remark insulting Kharge’s late father. The party maintained that the BJP was attempting to divert attention from substantive political issues by focusing on the controversy.

The competing accounts have added another dimension to the dispute, with both parties accusing each other of lowering the standards of political debate.

Electoral Roll Revision Adds to Political Tensions

The controversy comes amid an ongoing political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Congress has accused the BJP and the Election Commission of India of allowing irregularities in the voter-list revision process. The opposition has raised concerns about alleged voter deletions and the potential impact on electoral participation.

The BJP has rejected the opposition’s political attacks and accused Congress leaders of making allegations to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Kharge’s remarks in Patna were made in the context of this broader debate over electoral rolls, voting rights and the conduct of democratic institutions.

Political Battle Intensifies Ahead of Future Elections

The latest confrontation highlights the continuing tensions between the BJP and Congress. Both parties have increasingly used public rallies, press statements and social media to challenge each other’s political positions.

For the BJP, the controversy provides an opportunity to question the Congress leadership’s language and political conduct. For Congress, the dispute has become part of a wider argument over electoral transparency and the treatment of opposition voices.

Whether the controversy has a lasting impact on voter sentiment remains uncertain. Its immediate effect, however, has been to intensify the political exchange between the country’s two major national parties.

Conclusion

The BJP’s nationwide protests against Mallikarjun Kharge have escalated a political controversy that began at a Congress event in Patna. While the BJP has demanded an apology over the remarks concerning Modi’s late father, Congress leaders have defended Kharge and accused the ruling party of misrepresenting the incident.