Mallikarjun Kharge’s “illiterate Gujaratis” remark in Kerala triggers backlash from Bharatiya Janata Party

A political controversy erupted ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections after Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing a rally in Idukki on Sunday, said the people of Kerala are “educated and clever” and cannot be misled — unlike those in Gujarat and some other regions.

At the rally, Kharge remarked that leaders like Narendra Modi and Pinarayi Vijayan could “fool” people elsewhere but not in Kerala, triggering sharp backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Responding strongly, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi accused Kharge of insulting the people of Gujarat and its legacy, highlighting figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Modi. He said the remarks reflected the Congress party’s frustration after repeated electoral defeats in the state, adding that “Gujarat will not forgive.”

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also criticised Kharge, questioning his view of leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He accused the Congress of attempting to divide voters ahead of the polls, asserting that Kerala’s electorate would deliver a strong response in the elections.