'Country is Shocked': BJP Slams Kharge Over Remarks on PM's Father
BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi and other leaders condemn Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for alleged abusive remarks about PM Modi's father.
A political storm has erupted following alleged objectionable remarks made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s family. BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi has led the criticism, stating that the entire country is shocked by the language used by the Congress chief, which she described as unexpected from a leader of his seniority.
Aparajita Sarangi Condemns 'Abusive Language'
Speaking to ANI, Aparajita Sarangi expressed her disbelief over the incident, highlighting that Kharge's age and position should have commanded a more dignified discourse. She noted that Kharge is viewed as a father figure by many, making the use of abusive language—specifically targeting the Prime Minister’s father—even more jarring.
Sarangi further questioned whether these words were merely a slip of the tongue or a reflection of the Congress party's core ideology.
"These remarks reflect the Congress’s conduct, ideology and mindset. When the president makes such a statement, it raises questions about whether this mindset is embedded in the party,"she stated, adding that the outburst appeared to be a sign of frustration and disappointment.
Opposition's Frustration: Karnataka Leader Weighs In
The criticism extended to Karnataka, where the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, also slammed the Congress President. Narayanaswamy alleged that the remarks were a direct result of the party's frustration over being out of power.
Invoking a reported observation by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narayanaswamy claimed that the Congress becomes "more dangerous" when it is not in power. He suggested that the voice coming from Kharge was not his own, but rather a reflection of the attitude of Rahul Gandhi and the party as a whole, going as far as to label the Congress a "third-class party" with "third-class leaders."
The Incident in Patna
The controversy traces back to a public gathering in Patna, Bihar, where Mallikarjun Kharge was addressing the 139th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Krishna Singh, the first Chief Minister of Bihar. According to reports, the event took a turn when an attendee interrupted Kharge, asserting that PM Modi would not go anywhere.
In a fiery retort from the stage, the Congress President allegedly responded, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father will have to go), sparking the current political row.
Congress Defends the Retort
While the BJP continues to condemn the statement, the Congress party has stood by its leader. Saharanpur Congress MP Imran Masood strongly defended Mallikarjun Kharge, arguing that the opposition will no longer remain silent in the face of verbal attacks.
Masood justified the Congress President's response by claiming that top BJP leaders have consistently lowered the standards of political discourse in India without being held accountable, suggesting that the retort in Patna was a reaction to a broader pattern of political behavior.