Khattar Slams Kharge Over Remarks on PM Modi's Late Father
Synopsis
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar publicly rebuked Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on October 25, 2026, over alleged remarks about PM Modi's late father, calling it political desperation and a failure of democratic decorum.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar posted a sharp rebuke on X on October 25, 2026 , targeting Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge .
Khattar accused Kharge of using 'undignified language' about Prime Minister Modi's deceased father .
He characterised the remarks as evidence of Congress's 'political desperation and ideological bankruptcy.' Khattar drew a distinction between legitimate ideological opposition and 'personal bitterness and insulting rhetoric,' calling the latter unacceptable to Indian voters.
The specific remarks by Kharge have not been independently verified from available information.
The exchange reflects a recurring pattern of BJP-Congress clashes over the standards of public political discourse.
A remark about a dead man's dignity has ignited one of the sharpest political exchanges of the season. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday, October 25, 2026, hit back hard at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing him of using 'undignified language' about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late father — and framing it as proof of the opposition's political freefall.
What Khattar Said — and Why It Stings
Posting in Hindi, Khattar pulled no punches. 'कांग्रेस की राजनीतिक हताशा और वैचारिक दिवालियेपन' — 'Congress's political desperation and ideological bankruptcy' — is how he characterised the remarks. He then landed a sharper rhetorical blow: 'When a national party's own president forgets the decorum of public discourse, how can one expect that party to respect democratic values?'
The post closed with a line aimed directly at Indian voters: ideological opposition, Khattar argued, is a legitimate part of democracy — but personal bitterness and insulting remarks are something the people of this country will 'neither accept nor tolerate, ever.'
Kharge's Alleged Remarks and What Remains Unverified
The specific words that triggered Khattar's response have not been independently confirmed. What is clear from the post is that the remarks, as characterised by Khattar, were directed at PM Modi's deceased father — a line that, in Indian political culture, is widely regarded as a severe breach of personal dignity regardless of political affiliation.
Mallikarjun Kharge, a veteran politician from Karnataka, has led the Indian National Congress since October 2022, ending a long stretch of the party being led by the Gandhi family. His tenure has been marked by persistent, often acerbic criticism of the Modi government.
BJP vs Congress: The Decorum Wars
This exchange fits a well-worn pattern in Indian politics. The ruling BJP frequently accuses the Congress of crossing personal and democratic red lines; the Congress counters with its own allegations of government overreach and institutional erosion. Both sides invoke 'democratic values' as a shield while deploying political attacks as a sword.
What makes this episode notable is the target: not a policy, not a record, but a deceased parent. That is a charge senior BJP leaders are unlikely to let fade quietly. Expect Congress spokespersons to respond — either defending Kharge's remarks in context or distancing the party from them entirely.
Point of View
The BJP frames the controversy as a moral rather than a political question — a framing that tends to resonate beyond partisan lines. For Congress, the episode creates an uncomfortable choice: defend Kharge's remarks in full context or absorb the reputational damage. The pattern is consistent with a broader BJP strategy of keeping the opposition on the defensive over conduct rather than policy, particularly ahead of any electoral cycle.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kharge say about PM Modi's father?
The specific remarks by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have not been independently confirmed. Union Minister Khattar characterised them as 'undignified language' directed at Prime Minister Modi's late father, but the exact words remain unverified.
Why did Manohar Lal Khattar criticise Mallikarjun Kharge?
Khattar criticised Kharge for allegedly using disrespectful language about PM Modi's deceased father, calling it a breach of democratic decorum and evidence of Congress's political desperation.
Who is Manohar Lal Khattar?
Manohar Lal Khattar is India's Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, a senior BJP leader, and the former Chief Minister of Haryana.
Who is Mallikarjun Kharge?
Mallikarjun Kharge is the President of the Indian National Congress, the main opposition party. He has held the post since October 2022 and is a veteran politician from Karnataka.
What is the BJP-Congress row over democratic decorum about?
The BJP frequently accuses the Congress of crossing personal and democratic red lines in public discourse, while Congress raises its own concerns about the government. The latest flashpoint centres on alleged remarks by Kharge about PM Modi's late father.
