West Bengal Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar has defended Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after the BJP launched nationwide protests over remarks concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sarkar said the controversy had shifted attention away from the Congress’s allegation of “vote theft”.

Speaking in a video, Sarkar criticised the BJP’s conduct towards Kharge in Uttarakhand, saying the senior Congress leader should have been treated with greater respect and political decency. He also referred to an incident in Bihar, where, according to Sarkar, a BJP member interrupted Kharge’s speech and shouted, “Modi will not go.”

Sarkar said Kharge responded by saying that Modi would certainly go. He argued that the reply did not justify anger from the BJP because Kharge had otherwise shown respect towards the prime minister.

What Subhankar Sarkar said

Sarkar linked the controversy to Kharge’s reference to Modi’s family. He said Modi had himself described his connection to his biological identity as “non-biological”, and argued that Kharge had shown respect to Modi’s mother by referring to her.

Sarkar also questioned whether Modi had publicly mentioned his father by name. He said Kharge’s reference to Modi’s family should be understood as an expression of respect rather than an insult.

The remarks were made while Sarkar was responding to questions about the BJP’s nationwide protest against Kharge. His comments represent the Congress position in the political dispute and do not establish that the competing claims have been independently resolved.

Nationwide political dispute

Reports by The Hindu, Brut, NDTV and India Today on 26 October 2026 said the BJP had announced or begun nationwide protests over Kharge’s remarks on Modi. The reports described the episode as a fresh confrontation between the BJP and Congress.

The dispute has centred on the language used in political speeches and the conduct of supporters during public addresses. Sarkar’s response focused on political etiquette, the treatment of senior leaders and the Congress’s broader allegation that vote theft had become a national issue.

For readers, the immediate significance is that the exchange has moved beyond a single speech. It has become a wider political contest involving public protests, competing claims about respect and accusations over the conduct of political workers.

details of the locations, size or outcome of the BJP protests is not yet available. It also does not record a separate response from Kharge in the material reviewed here.

Conclusion

Sarkar has defended Kharge’s comments and criticised the BJP’s nationwide protest, while reports from The Hindu, Brut, NDTV and India Today indicate that the controversy has become a broader BJP-Congress confrontation over remarks concerning Modi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who defended Mallikarjun Kharge?

West Bengal Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar defended Kharge in a video statement.

Q. Why did the BJP announce nationwide protests?

The protests were announced over remarks by Kharge concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Q. What did Sarkar say about Uttarakhand?

He said Kharge, described as a senior leader, should have been treated with greater respect and political decency in Uttarakhand.

Q. What incident did Sarkar mention from Bihar?

Sarkar said someone from the BJP interrupted Kharge’s speech and shouted, “Modi will not go.”

Q. How did Sarkar describe Kharge’s response?

He said Kharge replied that Modi would certainly go and argued that the response did not justify anger.

Q. What broader issue did Sarkar raise?

He said the issue of “vote theft” had come to the forefront across the country and linked it to the political dispute.