A week after his “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” remark in Patna triggered a political controversy, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge heard the same slogan being raised by supporters at the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. The Opposition gathering was organised to protest against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Several prominent Opposition leaders attended the rally, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, along with Kharge.
During his speech, Kharge appeared unhappy with the noise from the crowd while delivering his address. He remained silent on the podium for nearly 30 seconds as slogans and chants continued alongside loud music played on a string instrument. He eventually warned the gathering that he would prolong his speech if the audience did not settle down.
"Dekho, aap agar chup baithenge, main paanch minute mein apna bhashan khatm kar raha hun. Agar chup nahin baithenge, main ek ghanta bhashan karunga (If you stay quiet, I'll finish my speech in five minutes; if you do not stay quiet, I'll speak for an hour)," Kharge told the crowd.
The disruption came as sections of the audience chanted, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega (Even Modi's father will go)", repeating the controversial line Kharge had used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Patna on October 25.
Reacting to the chants, Kharge said his political attack on the Prime Minister, saying, "Modi jayega, tabhi loktantra bachega" (“Only if Modi goes will democracy survive"). We must remove Modi to save democracy,” the Rajya Sabha LoP said.
( Image credits: PTI )
Kharge also accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh of coming to power through what he described as “vote theft”. Calling for Modi's removal, he alleged that those in power were choosing themselves rather than being elected by the people.
“Who votes for them? They choose themselves. The public does not elect them. The current central government, as well as the governments in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are all governments of vote theft. We must remove these thieves,” Kharge said.
The INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi' protest march saw Opposition leaders and supporters from across the country gather at Ramlila Maidan to raise concerns over the SIR exercise and alleged discrepancies in electoral rolls.
The march began at the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and proceeded towards Ramlila Maidan. The gathering came a day after a public "impeachment" programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar was held in the national capital on October 31.
What Is 'Modi Ka Baap Bhi Jayega' Controversy?
A political confrontation took place between the Congress and the BJP after Kharge's “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” remark in Patna on October 25. While the BJP demanded an apology, the Congress defended the statement, maintaining that it was not intended as an insult.
The controversy unfolded during a function marking the 130th birth anniversary of Dr Shri Krishna Singh, Bihar's first Chief Minister.
During his address, a man in the audience reportedly said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not go anywhere. Responding to him, Kharge said, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega.”
The man, identified as Santosh Kumar and seen wearing an orange shirt, later claimed that his statement had not been heard in full and that he had meant the opposite.
“I was actually saying, 'Unless the public revolts, Modi will not go," said Santosh Kumar, who was allegedly beaten and removed from the venue.
Kharge's remark sparked a political row, with the BJP accusing the Congress president of crossing the boundaries of political discourse and demanding an apology. The Congress, however, maintained that the statement was not meant to insult the Prime Minister.
Kharge also launched a broader attack on PM Modi, accusing him of having a habit of telling lies.