Kharge's remark against PM Modi ideological attack, not personal, says Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal

Kharge's remark against PM Modi ideological attack, not personal, says Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal left Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal. File ANI ANI https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/xhmkn0/article71626565.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/20261005423L.jpg ANI New Delhi, Oct 05 (ANI): Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal addresses a press conference after a party meeting, highlighting the plans for tomorrow's peaceful protest starting from Makar Dwar on the issue of 'Vote Chori' at Indira Bhawan, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo/Ritik Sharma)

'Ideologically, of these Bharatiya Janata Party people, the parent is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Kharge ji means that only,' said K.C. Venugopal

CHANDIGARH

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Monday (October 26, 2026) defended party president Mallikarjun Kharge's remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it an ideological, not personal, attack.

https://www.thehindu.com/topic/indian-national-congress/ Mallikarjun Kharge | The marathon man storyline 1 https://www.thehindu.com/topic/Prime_Minister_Narendra_Modi/

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-bloc-public-impeachment-cec-gyanesh-kumar-amid-protest/article71621030.ece

Responding to a question surrounding the remark, Mr. Venugopal said, "I think Kharge ji means that ideologically. Ideologically, of these Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] people, the parent is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh [RSS], and Kharge ji means that only. That's what I understood. Who represents that ideology? The RSS. That's what Kharge ji means. You see, what did they do against Kharge ji? Purification exercise. He [Kharge] comes from a marginalised background; he went for a program, and after the program, a purification exercise was done. What does it mean?"

https://www.thehindu.com/topic/bharatiya-janata-party/ https://www.thehindu.com/topic/rashtriya-swayamsevak-sangh-rss/

"This [Kharge's remark] was an ideological attack he had done, not any personal attack. He meant the RSS. That's all," he said here.

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Elaborating about the party's preparation in the run-up to the 2027 assembly election in Punjab, Mr. Venugopal said, "We are beginning our election campaign on November 4. Our leader Rahul Gandhi is coming and there will be a mammoth rally. Rahul Gandhi has a great connect with the people of Punjab. Now all over India, people are completely going along with his visions and ideas, especially youngsters and Gen Z people."

Hitting out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Mr. Venugopal said "Day by day, the law and order situation is worsening like anything. The government has no control over law and order. Police is not here to control law and order, police is here to create the problems." He added, "The people of Punjab are looking for a peaceful atmosphere which prevailed whenever Congress was in power. People are now realizing and remembering the old days of peace in Punjab. So, we are going to repeat it again."

Mr. Venugopal has been holding a series of meetings with the District Congress Committee presidents, along with the Punjab Pradesh Congress president, Congress Legislature Party leader, former presidents, secretaries, and working presidents, among others.