NEW DELHI — Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has delivered a sharp retort to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, characterizing his past alliance with the Congress as a “forced marriage” that ended due to an “abusive relationship.” The exchange follows a viral moment in the Rajya Sabha on March 18, 2026, during farewell speeches for retiring members.
The “Dating” Jibe
During his speech, Kharge—who has known the JDS patriarch for over 54 years—poked fun at Gowda’s recent shift toward the NDA:
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The Quote: “He dated us, loved us, but married Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Kharge quipped, drawing laughter from the entire House, including the Prime Minister.
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The Context: Kharge expressed mock confusion over why the veteran leader, who once headed a Congress-backed United Front government in 1996, eventually allied with the BJP.
Gowda’s “Divorce” Decree
Responding from Bengaluru via a statement on X, Deve Gowda did not mince words, flipping the marriage metaphor to blame the Congress for the split:
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The Defense: Gowda claimed he never “deserted” the alliance. Instead, he argued the Congress “walked away” after the 2018 Karnataka coalition.
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The Revelation: He reminded Kharge that in 2018, he had actually proposed Kharge’s name for Chief Minister, but was overruled by Congress leadership (specifically Ghulam Nabi Azad) who insisted on H.D. Kumaraswamy.
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The “Betrayal”: Gowda pointed to the 2019 collapse of the state government, alleging that Congress internal sabotage and unpunished defections left the JDS with “no choice but to seek a more stable alliance.”
Political Backdrop
The exchange comes as both leaders—stalwarts of Karnataka politics—prepare for the next phase of their careers after completing their current Rajya Sabha terms. While the banter was light-hearted in the House, Gowda’s response highlights the deep-seated bitterness remaining from the 2019 coalition collapse, even as his son, H.D. Kumaraswamy, currently serves as a Minister in the Modi Cabinet.
