SP's Ram Gopal Yadav distances himself from Kharge's 'baap' remark on PM Modi
Synopsis
A rare public split within the INDIA bloc: SP's Ram Gopal Yadav openly refused to back Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's 'Modi ka baap bhi jayega' remark, calling it a language failure by a senior leader. With Rahul Gandhi's unilateral protest remarks also drawing SP pushback, the alliance's internal tensions are now playing out in the open.
Key Takeaways
Ram Gopal Yadav of the SP distanced himself from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's 'baap' remark targeting PM Modi on 27 October 2026 .
Kharge made the remark at an event in Patna, Bihar on Sunday, drawing widespread criticism.
Yadav urged all political leaders to exercise language restraint, saying the situation would 'continue to deteriorate' otherwise.
Yadav also questioned Rahul Gandhi's claim that INDIA bloc protests could end in '30 seconds' if the CEC was removed, calling it a collective bloc decision.
Counting is underway for 11 seats in the UP MLC polls ; SP is hopeful of gains in teachers' and graduates' constituencies.
Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Tuesday, 27 October publicly distanced himself from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial 'baap' remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he does not associate with the statement and urging all political leaders to exercise greater restraint in their language. Yadav made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh.
The Remark That Sparked the Row
Kharge came under sharp criticism after he reportedly lost his composure during an address at an event in Patna, Bihar on Sunday. Responding to an audience member's assertion that Prime Minister Modi would not go anywhere, Kharge reportedly said, 'Modi ka baap bhi jayega.' The remark drew swift backlash from multiple political quarters, including from within the broader opposition alliance.
What Ram Gopal Yadav Said
'Everyone should exercise restraint in their language. We do not agree at all with what the Congress President said about the Prime Minister's father. Political leaders need to exercise restraint in their language; otherwise, the situation will continue to deteriorate,' Yadav told reporters.
He further added: 'If senior leaders use such language, then I don't know what kind of language the juniors will use. I don't associate with the statement of Kharge sahab.' The rebuke is notable given that the SP and the Indian National Congress (Congress) are partners within the INDIA bloc, making the public criticism an unusually candid moment of intra-alliance friction.
SP on Rahul Gandhi's 'INDIA Bloc Protest' Remark
Yadav also weighed in on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's claim that protests by the INDIA bloc could end 'within 30 seconds' if Prime Minister Modi removed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The SP leader questioned the premise, saying: 'How can he end the protests since it concerns the entire INDIA bloc?' The comment signals that the SP views such decisions as collective bloc matters, not ones for any single party to resolve unilaterally.
UP MLC Polls Counting Underway
Separately, counting is currently underway for 11 seats in the Uttar Pradesh (UP) MLC polls. Yadav expressed confidence that the SP would perform well, particularly in the teachers' and graduates' constituencies. 'We are hopeful that people have voted for the Samajwadi Party. The Samajwadi Party will gain an advantage in both the teachers' and graduates' constituencies,' he said.
SP candidate Sanjay Tripathi, contesting from the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers' constituency, also voiced optimism ahead of the count. 'I am grateful to God and seek His blessings. This is the result of years of continuous hard work, and today is the time for it to bear fruit. The way I have received the cooperation and support of teacher voters has made me very confident,' Tripathi said, speaking from Gorakhpur.
The SP's public rebuke of a key INDIA bloc ally underscores the fragile nature of opposition unity ahead of future electoral contests, and how a single inflammatory remark can expose fault lines that partners often prefer to keep private.
Point of View
And a senior SP figure openly refusing to back the Congress president's remarks is exactly the kind of fissure that the BJP will exploit. Kharge's remark may have been an unscripted outburst, but Yadav's response shows that SP is carefully managing its own political identity, particularly in UP where it cannot afford to be seen as Congress's junior partner. The Rahul Gandhi episode — where the SP pushed back on his unilateral framing of the CEC controversy — further confirms that the bloc's unity is conditional, not cohesive.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mallikarjun Kharge say that triggered the controversy?
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reportedly said 'Modi ka baap bhi jayega' at an event in Patna, Bihar on Sunday, while responding to an audience member's remark that PM Modi would not go anywhere. The comment, widely seen as a reference to PM Modi's father, drew sharp criticism across party lines.
Why did Ram Gopal Yadav criticise Kharge despite being in the same INDIA bloc?
Yadav said he does not associate with Kharge's remark and called on all political leaders — particularly senior ones — to exercise restraint in their language. His criticism highlights internal tensions within the INDIA bloc, where SP and Congress are allies but often differ on tone and strategy.
What did Ram Gopal Yadav say about Rahul Gandhi's protest remark?
Yadav questioned Rahul Gandhi's claim that INDIA bloc protests could end 'within 30 seconds' if PM Modi removed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying such a decision concerns the entire INDIA bloc and cannot be resolved by one leader alone.
What is the current status of the UP MLC polls?
Counting is underway for 11 seats in the Uttar Pradesh MLC polls as of 27 October. The SP has expressed confidence in winning seats in the teachers' and graduates' constituencies.
Who is SP candidate Sanjay Tripathi?
Sanjay Tripathi is the SP candidate for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers' constituency in the UP MLC polls. He expressed confidence in a favourable outcome, citing years of hard work and strong support from teacher voters.
