BJP files complaint against Kharge over remark on PM Modi's father in Patna
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader filed a formal complaint against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at Patna's Kotwali police station on 25 October 2026, over an alleged derogatory remark Kharge made concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father during a Congress programme in the Bihar capital. The complaint has ignited a sharp political confrontation between the BJP and Congress ahead of a politically sensitive period in the state.
What Was Said and Where
Krishna Kumar, a member of the BJP's state working committee, submitted the complaint after learning of the remark through television news coverage. The controversy originated at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna, where Kharge was addressing a Congress event to mark the birth anniversary of Bihar's first Chief Minister Sri Krishna Singh.
During his speech, while criticising Prime Minister Modi, an audience member reportedly interjected that the Prime Minister was 'not going anywhere.' Kharge responded: 'Even PM Modi's father will have to go' — a statement that swiftly drew condemnation from the BJP and triggered a political uproar.
Altercation in the Audience
Videos of the incident reportedly showed Congress workers confronting and allegedly assaulting the individual who had interrupted Kharge's speech. The circumstances surrounding the altercation have drawn additional scrutiny, widening the controversy beyond the remark itself. In his complaint, Krishna Kumar requested police to examine news reports, video footage, and other available evidence to establish the exact words used and the context in which they were spoken.
He also urged authorities to initiate appropriate legal action if the investigation determined that any law had been violated, noting that derogatory comments about an individual's family on a public platform demand accountability.
BJP Leaders Demand Apology
The remark prompted strong reactions from senior BJP figures. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President Nitin Nabin publicly criticised Kharge's statement. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary went further, demanding an immediate apology from both Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Choudhary described the remark as 'unfortunate' and accused the Congress leadership of displaying hostility towards the Prime Minister's family. He stressed that political differences must not translate into personal attacks against family members of public figures.
Political Fallout and What Happens Next
The incident has intensified BJP-Congress tensions in Bihar, a state that remains a key electoral battleground. Notably, this is not the first time a remark made at a Congress platform has drawn police action in the state — such complaints have increasingly become a tool of political signalling on both sides.
The Kotwali police are expected to examine the complaint, review available footage, and determine whether there is sufficient basis for registering a formal case. The Congress party had not issued an official response to the complaint as of the time of reporting. How authorities handle the complaint — and whether Congress addresses it publicly — will determine whether the controversy escalates further.