The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, 26 October staged a demonstration at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, condemning Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his alleged derogatory remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father and demanding a public apology. The protest was led by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.

Ashoka's Sharp Attack on Kharge and Congress

R. Ashoka opened with a sweeping broadside against the Congress, alleging that both Mallikarjun Kharge and his son, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, were together hastening the party's decline. 'The father, Mallikarjun Kharge, and the son, Kharge Junior, are enough to destroy the Congress in the country and the state,' he said sarcastically.

Ashoka alleged that Kharge had 'stooped to an unacceptable level' in his criticism of the Prime Minister, adding that the Congress president should have refrained from making such remarks. He drew a pointed parallel, asking how Congress would have reacted had BJP leaders made comparable remarks about Kharge's own father.

Invoking a composition by the saint-poet Purandara Dasa, Ashoka urged Kharge to abandon what he described as a habit of making derogatory statements, saying such remarks reflected the Congress's alleged poor political culture.

In remarks that are likely to draw scrutiny, Ashoka referenced reports that a venue where Kharge had addressed a meeting in Uttarakhand was cleaned afterwards, and said: 'If the place where Kharge delivered his speech had to be cleaned, what should be used to clean his mouth now? Instead of cow urine, phenyl, Hit and Harpic should be used.'

BJP Leaders Allege Congress Frustration Over Modi's Political Longevity

Ashoka alleged that Kharge's outbursts stemmed from frustration over the prospect of PM Modi winning a fourth consecutive term. He further criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming he spent more time abroad than in India, and accused Congress leaders in Karnataka of not allowing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to function freely.

On the alleged sting operation controversy, Ashoka claimed that senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad had acknowledged that a sting operation had taken place, and said the BJP was demanding that the full truth be brought to light.

Narayanaswamy and Ashwath Narayan Add to the Chorus

Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, argued that Congress leaders were, through their remarks, inadvertently strengthening the BJP. He accused the party of making irresponsible statements out of frustration after losing power, and called Kharge's remarks unacceptable.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan also condemned Kharge's remarks at the rally, calling them 'objectionable and a sign of frustration.' He alleged that Kharge had 'lost his patience and control over his words' and accused the Congress of disrespecting the Constitution. Ashwath Narayan demanded that Kharge withdraw the remarks and tender an unconditional apology.

The Political Context

The protest comes amid an already charged political climate in Karnataka, where the ruling Congress government led by Siddaramaiah is facing pressure on multiple fronts, including the alleged sting operation controversy. The BJP, currently in opposition in the state, has been seeking to capitalise on internal tensions within the Congress. This is not the first time Kharge's public remarks have triggered a sharp BJP response — his earlier comments about PM Modi selling tea had also drawn significant backlash before the 2024 general elections.

With the BJP demanding an unconditional apology and Congress yet to formally respond, the political standoff between the two parties is expected to sharpen in the days ahead.