Kharge made a mistake with Modi remark, says Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan

Prithviraj Chavan said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge made a mistake with his controversial remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that political leaders must maintain civility. Chavan also lamented the decline in cordial relations between political rivals and criticised the Centre's economic and foreign policies, particularly its handling of China.Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan (File Photo: ITG)New Delhi,Oct 27, 2026 17:49 ISTSenior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday said party president Mallikarjun Kharge had erred with his controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that political leaders must maintain civility in public discourse irrespective of party affiliations.Speaking to reporters, the former Maharashtra chief minister said Kharge's comments were uncalled-for and warranted an explanation. However, he also accused senior BJP leaders, including Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of making objectionable remarks against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the past.Kharge sparked a political row at an event in Patna on Sunday when he said, "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" (Even Modi's father will go), while responding to a remark from someone in the audience.The Congress president was addressing a programme marking the 139th birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh, Bihar's first chief minister. Kharge had said that those involved in alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would be sent to jail if the Congress came to power. When an audience member countered that Modi would not be removed from power as long as there was no rebellion, Kharge responded with the controversial remark.BOTH SIDES AT FAULT: CHAVANCommenting on the controversy, Chavan said political leaders should not abandon civil language, even when criticising their opponents. "I believe that civil language should never be abandoned, whichever the party. If he (Kharge) has said something — perhaps inadvertently — he should provide an explanation. But let me ask you: your leader, Amit Shah, made remarks about Rahul Gandhi. Both sides are at fault here," Chavan said.He cited past remarks by Shah about Rahul Gandhi's grandmother and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), as well as statements by Modi targeting Sonia Gandhi, arguing that leaders across political parties had contributed to the deterioration of political discourse."Amit Shah should not have said what he did. Similarly, Kharge also made a mistake. He is a senior leader, and he will provide his own clarification. We are not sworn enemies; we simply wish to advance our respective ideologies," Chavan said.'POLITICAL OPPONENTS HAVE BECOME SWORN ENEMIES'Recalling his time as a Member of Parliament, Chavan said political differences in the past did not prevent leaders from maintaining cordial personal relationships.He referred to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Jaswant Singh, saying that although parliamentary debates could be fierce, leaders remained cordial outside the House."We would fiercely debate — even clash — with leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sushma Swaraj, and Jaswant Singh, yet outside the chamber. That is no longer the case. Now, it feels as though opposition party leaders have become bitter, sworn enemies," he said.CHAVAN ATTACKS CENTRE'S POLICIESChavan also launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, alleging that its economic and foreign policies were failing the country.He claimed that China's alleged territorial incursions into Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh reflected the Centre's weakness on foreign policy and accused the Prime Minister of lacking the courage to address the issue."Look at the state of the nation — our economic policies are failing. Regarding foreign policy, China has encroached upon our territory, yet the PM lacks the courage to speak up," he said.Backing Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Prime Minister, Chavan said the government was under pressure and alleged that questionable agreements could adversely affect farmers and small businesses.He added that the Congress wanted to replace the government because it believed the Centre's policies were fundamentally flawed.- EndsWith PTI inputs