Kharge’s ‘baap’ remark at Patna event sparks BJP backlash; heckler thrashed

Patna: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s response to a heckler at a party event in Patna on Sunday triggered a political row, after he made a remark referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s father, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP.

The incident occurred during an event held to mark the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh.

According to IANS, a man in the crowd, identified as Santosh Singh, repeatedly shouted “Modi nahin jaayega” (Modi will not go), prompting a reaction from Kharge.

“Modi ka baap bhi jayega (Even PM Modi’s father will have to go),” Kharge said, repeating the remark three times.

Soon after, Congress workers surrounded the man, thrashed him and removed him from the venue, according to the report.

A video of the exchange, showing the heckling and Kharge’s response, circulated widely on social media and drew strong reactions from BJP leaders.

BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said in a post on X that Kharge’s behaviour reflected frustration within the Congress.

“Such disgusting, petulant, uncouth behaviour from Kharge ji shows the growing frustration in Congress ranks — all their attempts to manufacture anarchy in the name of protests have failed,” he wrote.

Union Minister and Bihar MP Giriraj Singh also criticised the Congress president.

“I used to think only Rahul Gandhi (Leader of Opposition) is foolish. Now it seems there’s a whole bunch of them,” he said.