IDUKKI/NEW DELHI – Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has issued a formal statement of “sincere regret” following a major political uproar over comments he made during an election rally in Kerala. The remarks, which compared the literacy levels of voters in Kerala and Gujarat, drew sharp condemnation from the BJP.
The Controversy
While campaigning in Kerala’s Idukki district, Kharge attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, suggesting they could not “fool” the people of Kerala.
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The Statement: “Modi ji, Vijayan, you both can fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or in other places, but you can’t fool Keralam people,” Kharge had said, sparking immediate backlash.
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BJP Reaction: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel termed the remarks “extremely objectionable,” stating they insulted the dignity of crores of Gujaratis. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress of continuing a “divide and rule” policy.
The Clarification
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to quell the rising tension, Kharge maintained that his words were “deliberately misinterpreted” but offered an apology to prevent further friction.
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Respect for Gujarat: “It was never my intention to hurt the sentiments of the people of Gujarat for whom I have always had and will continue to have the highest of respect,” he posted.
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Context: The Congress chief emphasized that his speech was aimed at political critique rather than a slight against the citizenry of any state.
Election Context
The showdown occurs as the political atmosphere intensifies across poll-bound states. With the BJP framing the comments as an attack on “Gujarati Asmita” (pride), the Congress leadership has moved quickly to contain the potential electoral fallout in the 2026-27 election cycle.
