Kharge 'baap' row: Mayawati slams ‘toxic politics’, says personal attacks not in national interest

In a post on X, Mayawati expressed concern over growing mistrust, hostility and bitterness among political parties, arguing that public exchanges between leaders had increasingly become insulting, undignified and divisive.

She said political attacks were becoming increasingly unrestrained, with some involving caste-based rhetoric and even language that could encourage violence.

“Those occupying top positions should, if not show proper respect for one another, at least refrain from encouraging objectionable and toxic politics in any form,” she said.

The BSP chief cautioned that narrow-minded and self-serving politics, particularly approaches she described as anti-poor, could weaken public confidence in the country’s political system.

She also referred to concerns surrounding corruption in government and questions being raised about the electoral process, saying these issues had already contributed to public unease.

Against this backdrop, Mayawati said the personal rivalries and ego clashes of political leaders were making matters more difficult.

She stressed that citizens expected political parties to concentrate on addressing pressing concerns such as poverty, unemployment and inflation rather than engaging in personal confrontations.

Calling for restraint across party lines, she urged political leaders to pay greater attention to the tone and content of their public statements.

Mayawati’s comments came amid a political row over a remark made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during an event in Patna on Sunday.

According to reports, a person in the audience interrupted Kharge during his address, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not leave power.

Kharge responded with the remark, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega,” which translates to “Even Modi’s father will have to go.” The comment triggered a political controversy, with the BJP accusing the Congress president of crossing the limits of political decorum by referring to the Prime Minister’s late father.

BJP leaders subsequently demanded an apology from Kharge, and the party announced protests outside Congress offices over the controversy.

Mayawati’s intervention focused on the broader issue of political conduct, urging leaders to avoid personal attacks and concentrate instead on issues affecting ordinary citizens.