Kharge Sparks Row with ‘Illiterate’ Remark on Gujarat Voters at Kerala Rally
Congress chief’s comments on voter awareness spark sharp reactions as he targets Modi and Vijayan in poll rally
New Delhi, Apr 06 : At a campaign rally in Idukki, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stirred controversy with remarks about voters in Gujarat, suggesting they were being misled due to a lack of awareness. His statement, made while addressing the political landscape ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, quickly drew attention across party lines.
Kharge contrasted Gujarat with Kerala, describing the latter’s electorate as “educated and politically aware.” He asserted that leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would not be able to mislead Kerala’s voters.
Stepping up his attack, the Congress leader alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Kerala’s Left Democratic Front were working in tandem to sideline the Indian National Congress. He claimed both Modi and Vijayan follow a centralized style of governance, concentrating power in their own hands.
Kharge further alleged that Vijayan’s leadership lacked independence and suggested an implicit alignment between the BJP and the Left, a claim often denied by both sides.
Intensifying his criticism, he accused the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of promoting divisive politics and undermining the country’s unity. He also questioned the Prime Minister’s record on employment, highlighting unfulfilled promises of large-scale job creation.
In a sharp personal jibe, Kharge mocked Modi’s often cited “56-inch chest” remark, downplaying its relevance to governance and leadership.
The remarks have added a new layer of political tension to the ongoing election campaign, with reactions expected to escalate as parties sharpen their rhetoric in the run-up to the polls.
