The BJP held protests across the country after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a controversial remark at a public meeting in Bihar, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and mentioning his father while attacking the Modi government.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the comment was “regrettable”, adding that it was not made by a party worker or a young leader but by the head of what he described as the country’s oldest party. He also alleged that the Congress went further by attempting to justify the remark instead of acknowledging the mistake and apologising.
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi criticised the Congress leadership, alleging a lack of maturity and saying that bringing up the names of deceased parents of leaders or private individuals was inappropriate. He claimed the episode reflected frustration within the party.
The Congress, meanwhile, responded by pointing to past instances in which it said Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had made harsh remarks about Sonia Gandhi and Kharge.
BJP demonstrations were reported in several state capitals, with protesters demanding that Kharge apologise and step down. In Bihar, BJP workers burnt an effigy of Kharge, while in Jammu and Kashmir they reportedly burnt posters and raised slogans. In Bengaluru, BJP workers staged a protest at Freedom Park.
