Congress President Kharge Clarifies Controversial Remarks on Gujarat

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has issued an apology regarding his controversial comments about Gujarat, asserting that he was misrepresented. He emphasized his respect for the people of Gujarat and clarified that he never intended to offend anyone. This statement comes in the wake of backlash from the BJP, which accused him of insulting Gujaratis. The controversy began when Kharge suggested that people from Kerala are more educated and less easily misled than those from Gujarat. His remarks have sparked significant political debate, with leaders from Gujarat responding strongly to defend their state's honor. Read on to explore the full context of this unfolding political drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 8, 2026, 14:06 IST

Kharge Expresses Regret Over Gujarat Comments

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed regret regarding his controversial remarks about Gujarat, stating that he feels he has been misrepresented intentionally. He emphasized that he never intended to hurt anyone's feelings. In a post on X, Kharge affirmed his deep respect for the people of Gujarat, a sentiment he has always held.

This clarification comes amid escalating controversy ahead of the Kerala assembly elections. In his post, Kharge mentioned that certain comments from his recent election speech in Kerala were deliberately misinterpreted. Nevertheless, he sincerely apologized, asserting that he never meant to offend the sentiments of the people of Gujarat, whom he has always respected.

The controversy ignited when Kharge, addressing a rally in Idukki, remarked that the people of Kerala are 'educated and clever' and cannot be misled, while suggesting that individuals from Gujarat and some other regions are easily deceived.

Kharge had stated, 'Do not mislead the people of Kerala. They are very clever and educated. Modi ji, Vijay (Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan), you can fool the illiterates from Gujarat or elsewhere, but not the people of Kerala.' His comments drew immediate backlash, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused him of insulting Gujaratis. Senior BJP leaders responded strongly, labeling his statement as an affront to the people of Gujarat and their heritage.

Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi remarked that Kharge's comments insulted millions and overlooked the contributions of the state to the nation, including leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He accused the Congress of repeatedly targeting Gujarat out of political frustration and warned that voters would not forget such remarks. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also questioned Kharge's comments, pointing out that many prominent national leaders hail from the regions he criticized.