The Congress general secretary says the comments were aimed at the RSS-BJP ideological relationship; BJP leaders have demanded an apology.
CHANDIGARH Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal has defended party president Mallikarjun Kharge following controversial remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the comments should be understood as ideological criticism rather than a personal attack.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh on October 26, Venugopal said he understood Kharge’s statement as a reference to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its ideological relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said the remarks were not intended as a comment about the Prime Minister’s family.
The controversy followed a speech Kharge delivered in Patna on October 25 at an event marking the birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh. During a discussion that included allegations of electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, an audience member made a remark about Modi remaining in office. Kharge’s response, which referred to Modi’s father, triggered criticism.
BJP leaders condemned the wording and argued that political disagreements should not involve a leader’s family. Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the remarks, and the BJP announced protests seeking an apology. Congress leaders have disputed the BJP’s interpretation and defended Kharge’s intent.
Venugopal also questioned a reported purification ceremony conducted by a right-wing group after Kharge attended an event in Uttarakhand in August. He connected the episode to what he described as the treatment of a leader from a marginalised background. The competing accounts remain part of the political dispute.
Venugopal made his comments while attending organisational meetings with Punjab Congress leaders ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. He also confirmed Rahul Gandhi’s planned November 4 rally in Sangrur.