Patna, Oct 26 The BJP took out a march here on Monday to protest against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that his comments reflected the opposition party’s frustration.
Led by BJP’s Bihar unit president Sanjay Saraogi, party leaders and supporters held the ‘Jan Akrosh March’ from its headquarters to Dak Bungalow Chauraha, covering around 1.5 km, and burnt an effigy of Kharge.
The Congress leader on Sunday sparked a controversy with his remarks “Modi ka baap bhi jayega”, in response to an audience member’s comment that “the PM would not go anywhere”, during an event in Bihar’s Patna.
Kharge was speaking at the programme to celebrate the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first chief minister, Shrikrishna Singh.
During the demonstration, BJP workers raised slogans against Kharge and the Congress.
“Yesterday, all limits were crossed when the platform to celebrate the birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh, the architect of modern Bihar, was used to make abusive remarks about the late father of the Prime Minister,” Saraogi said.
He claimed that the Congress has been facing a “complete rout” in elections.
“Its public support is dwindling, and it is directing its frustration towards PM Modi by making derogatory remarks about his parents,” Saraogi told reporters.
He asked the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc to “mend their ways”.
“The Congress and the INDIA bloc must mend their ways. Otherwise, their complete rout is inevitable. The Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi must apologise to the people of the country,” he said.
BJP MP Ravishankar Prasad said Kharge’s remark was “shameful and extremely ill-mannered”.
“Difference of opinion is understandable, but how can the national president of a party like Congress use such language about the Prime Minister? All decency and decorum have disappeared,” he told reporters.
Prasad demanded an apology from senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for Kharge’s comments.
“The Congress should remember that whenever they use abusive language about PM Modi, people respond by showering more blessings upon him. People will give a befitting response to the Congress for using such derogatory remarks against Modi’s late parents,” he said.
Prasad also countered Kharge’s jibe at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, saying the right-wing organisation has achieved great heights while the Congress’ support base has reduced.
“Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi opposed the RSS. Look how far the Sangh has come today, while the Congress is reduced in stature. Congress leaders should stop such pointless ranting, maintain dignity and decorum in politics, and earn the people’s trust,” he said.
Kharge had on Sunday said, “As long as RSS ideology is not eliminated, there will be no peace in the country.”
RJD leader Bhai Virendra came in defence of Kharge, saying “he doesn’t need to apologise because his comment was a slip of the tongue”.
“The BJP doesn’t have any issue, and that is why it is creating unnecessary hype. It was a slip of the tongue. Kharge ji, who is among the senior-most leaders in the country, has done nothing that deserves an apology,” he told reporters.
“Modi and other BJP leaders often make derogatory remarks about former PMs. They must apologise first,” Virendra said.
However, leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assebly Tejashwi Yadav said the BJP was exaggerating the issue.
“The government should instead focus on generating employment, improving law and order, containing inflation, among other things,” he said.
(PTI News)
