The slogan echoed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow and rally in Banaskantha, days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial comment triggered a political row.
Banaskantha, Gujarat: Slogans of “Modi kahin nahi jayega” (Modi will not go anywhere) echoed across Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Friday, October 30, as supporters welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his roadshow and public rally.
The slogans were seen as a political response to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's recent remark about the Prime Minister's father, which sparked a controversy between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.
Slogans Echo During PM's Gujarat Visit
During Modi's roadshow in Bhildi town, supporters gathered along the route, waving placards and chanting slogans in his support. Some placards carried messages linking the Prime Minister's continued leadership to India's development, self-reliance and economic growth.
The slogan was also heard at a gathering at the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre, where Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi addressed the audience before Modi.
Sanghavi urged people to repeat the slogan, connecting it to the government's stated goals of making India a leading global economy, strengthening domestic manufacturing and achieving self-reliance.
How Kharge's Remark Triggered a Political Row
The controversy began at an event in Patna on October 25, commemorating the birth anniversary of Bihar's first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Sinha.
During his address, Kharge was interrupted by a person in the audience who said that Modi would not go anywhere. Kharge responded with the remark, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega,” which drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused him of making an objectionable personal comment.
The person involved later claimed that his original statement had been misunderstood. The episode nevertheless escalated into a wider political confrontation, with BJP leaders condemning Kharge's words and announcing protests.
Political Messaging Takes Centre Stage
The slogan in Banaskantha has since become part of the BJP's public messaging in response to the controversy. BJP leaders have portrayed the chants as a demonstration of support for Modi, while the episode has further intensified the political exchange between the ruling party and the opposition.
Modi's Gujarat visit also included plans to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹14,000 crore, alongside other programmes related to agriculture and infrastructure.
The incident underscores how a controversial political remark can quickly become a rallying point for supporters, turning a verbal exchange into a broader contest over public support and political messaging.