Assam BJP Demands Apology from Kharge Over Modi Remarks

Guwahati: Assam BJP workers swarmed Guwahati on October 26. They staged a sit-in outside the Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at Sarusajai to condemn Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The party wants an immediate apology for alleged comments Kharge made regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s father. More than 1,000 party workers joined the protest.

Guwahati Metropolitan District president Tapan Das, MLA Rupak Sharma, and youth leader Rakesh Das led the crowd. Women’s wing chief Purabi Roy, Scheduled Caste Morcha head Nabarun Medhi, and Kisan Morcha president Pankaj Barbarua also attended. Senior leaders and state office-bearers filled the ranks.

Senior BJP leader Dr. Pradip Thakuria attacked the opposition. He claimed the Congress lacks political principles and direction. MLA Rupak Sharma upped the ante. He warned the party will start a widespread public agitation if Kharge refuses to say sorry to the country. BJP state vice-president Ratna Singh labeled the Congress a party in distress. Another vice-president, Ashok Bhattarai, led the demonstration and blamed the behavior on constant losses. Bhattarai stated, "Repeated electoral defeats had left Congress leaders disoriented and prompted them to cross the boundaries of political decorum." The BJP maintains they will intensify these protests if the Congress stays silent.