Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge drew criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a video showed him using a phrase about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s father during an Oct. 25 event in Patna.
The Indian National Congress’ event listing says Kharge addressed a program marking the 139th birth anniversary of Dr. Shri Krishna Singh. The Indian Express identifies Singh as Bihar’s first chief minister.
A video posted by news agency ANI shows an audience member saying Modi would not go anywhere before Kharge responds, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega,” a Hindi phrase invoking the prime minister’s father.
Santosh Kumar told NDTV he meant, “Modi will not go” unless there was a revolt, and said listeners heard only part of his comment.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the remark in a post on X, describing it as indecent and a breach of decorum, Hindustan Times and The Indian Express reported. NDTV separately reported that Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput defended the phrase as an idiom.
The Indian Express reported that Kharge also criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged voting irregularities. India Today and TV9 reported that the BJP planned demonstrations for Monday, Oct. 26.
