“Some remarks of mine in a recent election speech in Kerala are being deliberately misinterpreted. Even so, I express my sincere regret,” the Congress chief posted on X. He further underlined, “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.”
The controversy stems from comments made during a poll campaign in Kerala’s Idukki district. Kharge had sought to draw a comparison between people in Keralam and in Gujarat while launching an attack on Narendra Modi and Pinarayi Vijayan. In his speech, he said the two leaders “can fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or in other places” but not in the poll-bound state.
“Don't misguide the people of Keralam. They are very clever, they are educated. Modi ji, Vijay (Pinarayi Vijayan), you both can fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or in other places, but you can't fool Keralam people,” he had said, remarks that quickly sparked a political row.
The comments drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders in Gujarat, who described them as insulting to the people of the state and demanded an apology. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel termed the remarks “extremely objectionable and unfortunate,” stating that they insulted crores of Gujaratis and hurt the state’s dignity.
Pradeep Bhandari also criticised the Congress, reiterating that the party follows a “divide and rule” policy. In a post on X, Bhandari said the Congress, founded by AO Hume, continues to practise divisive politics and seeks to “pit one Indian against another”.
The episode has intensified political tensions ahead of elections, with Kharge’s clarification and expression of regret underscoring the sensitivity of regional sentiments and the high stakes of campaign rhetoric in a charged electoral environment.
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