Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal has defended party president Mallikarjun Kharge over his recent controversial remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the comments were directed at the ideological relationship between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), rather than being a personal attack on the Prime Minister.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh on October 26, Venugopal explained that he understood Kharge’s statement as a reference to the RSS, which the Congress leader described as the ideological parent of the BJP. His clarification came amid a political dispute following Kharge’s remarks at a public event in Patna, Bihar.
The controversy has prompted criticism from BJP leaders and a response from the Congress leadership, adding to the political exchanges between the two parties.
Venugopal Explains Congress President’s Statement
Venugopal said Kharge’s words should be understood in the context of the ideological differences between the Congress and the RSS. According to him, the Congress president was referring to the organisation’s influence on the BJP’s political outlook rather than making a statement about Modi’s family.
“This was an ideological attack, not a personal attack,” Venugopal said while explaining his interpretation of the remarks.
His comments were intended to clarify the Congress leadership’s position as criticism of Kharge intensified. The BJP, however, has objected to the wording used by the Congress president and has demanded an apology.
How the Controversy Began in Patna
The dispute began on October 25 during an event in Patna marking the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh.
While addressing the gathering, Kharge was discussing allegations concerning electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. During his speech, an audience member made a remark suggesting that Modi would not leave office.
Kharge responded with a statement referring to Modi’s father, which quickly became the centre of a political controversy. BJP leaders criticised the comment as inappropriate, while Congress representatives subsequently offered explanations about its intended meaning.
The incident illustrates how exchanges at public political events can quickly become subjects of national debate.
BJP Leaders Condemn Kharge’s Remarks
Several BJP leaders criticised Kharge following the incident. Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Congress president of crossing the limits of political decorum and argued that the remarks were unacceptable.
The BJP also announced protests over the statement, seeking an apology from Kharge. Party leaders maintained that political disagreements should not involve remarks about a leader’s family.
The Congress, meanwhile, has defended its president and disputed the BJP’s interpretation of the statement. The two parties have continued to present contrasting accounts of the incident.
Venugopal Raises Questions About Treatment of Kharge
During his remarks in Chandigarh, Venugopal also criticised an alleged purification ceremony conducted by a right-wing group after Kharge attended an event in Uttarakhand in August.
Venugopal questioned the significance of the reported ceremony and linked it to what he described as the treatment of a leader from a marginalised background. He used the episode to challenge the BJP’s criticism of Kharge and to highlight the ideological differences between the two political camps.
His comments formed part of the Congress response to the wider controversy, although the competing interpretations of the events remain matters of political dispute.
Political Debate Continues Amid Punjab Campaign Preparations
Venugopal made the clarification while attending meetings with Punjab Congress leaders in Chandigarh. The meetings focused on the party’s organisational preparations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
He also confirmed that Rahul Gandhi would address a public rally in Sangrur on November 4. Congress leaders described the event as an important step in their campaign preparations.
The Punjab meetings and the controversy surrounding Kharge’s remarks unfolded at the same time, placing Venugopal’s comments within a broader period of political activity for the Congress party.
Conclusion
K. C. Venugopal’s defence of Mallikarjun Kharge has added another dimension to the dispute between the Congress and the BJP. While Venugopal maintains that the remarks were intended as an ideological criticism of the RSS, BJP leaders have condemned the wording and called for an apology.
The disagreement highlights the continuing political differences between the two parties over public statements, political conduct and ideological affiliations. Further responses from the Congress and BJP may shape how the controversy develops in the coming days.
