Idukki: A political controversy has erupted ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made remarks comparing the political awareness of Kerala voters with those in Gujarat. It has triggered a row and drawn sharp reactions from the BJP.
The controversy began after Kharge, while addressing an election rally in Kerala’s Idukki district, said that the people of Kerala are “educated and intelligent” and cannot be easily misled by political narratives. His remarks were interpreted by BJP leaders as suggesting that voters in Gujarat and some other regions were less politically aware.
The BJP criticised Kharge’s statement, calling it an insult to the people of Gujarat. Several party leaders demanded an apology, accusing
the Congress chief of making divisive and derogatory comments for electoral gain.
Leaders from Gujarat also condemned the remarks, stating that such statements reflect a disrespectful attitude toward the electorate of the state and questioning the Congress party’s commitment to national unity.
Congress leaders, however, defended Kharge, saying his comments were taken out of context. According to party representatives, Kharge was trying to highlight Kerala’s high literacy rate and political awareness rather than demean any other state.
During the same campaign speech, Kharge also criticised both the BJP-led central government and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, accusing them of failing to address key issues such as unemployment and economic challenges.
The controversy comes at a crucial time as Kerala prepares for Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, 2026, with counting of votes to take place on May 4. The main contest in the state is between the ruling LDF, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), and the BJP-led NDA.
With campaigning intensifying, Kharge’s remarks have added to the heated political scene in Kerala.