New Delhi: A political controversy erupted after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made remarks about voters in Gujarat during an election campaign speech in Kerala, drawing strong criticism from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Responding to the statement, BJP president Nitin Nabin accused the Congress leadership of repeatedly insulting people across the country. He said every state has played a vital role in India’s development and criticised what he described as attempts to belittle citizens through political remarks. According to him, voters would respond to such comments through the democratic process.
The controversy began during a rally in Idukki district, where Kharge was campaigning ahead of the assembly elections. In his speech, he praised the people of Kerala as educated and politically aware, suggesting they could not easily be misled. While making the comparison, he said leaders might be able to misguide people in places like Gujarat but would find it difficult to do so in Kerala.
The comments triggered sharp reactions from several BJP leaders across the country. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the statement, alleging that the Congress often resorts to insulting citizens when it faces electoral setbacks. He questioned the mindset behind such remarks and asked whether leaders of other opposition parties would support the statement.
Strong criticism also came from Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat. In a social media post, he described the remarks as an insult to the people of the state and its legacy. Sanghavi highlighted that Gujarat has contributed several prominent national figures including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He further accused the Congress of repeatedly targeting Gujarat and suggested the criticism reflected the party’s frustration after losing political ground in the state. The exchange has intensified political debate as campaigning continues in several states ahead of upcoming elections.
