‘People Will Give Fitting Reply’: BJP Slams Kharge For ‘Illiterate Gujarat’ Remark

Last Updated:April 06, 2026, 11:22 IST

The controversy erupted when Kharge, campaigning in Idukki, said Kerala’s people are “educated and clever,” unlike those in Gujarat.

BJP President Nitin Nabin on Monday lashed out at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks on the people of Gujarat during a rally, accusing him of insulting the people of the state.

“Congress leaders never miss an opportunity to insult the people of this country. Every state has contributed to the nation’s development, and yet Congress continues to belittle them. Kharge ji, keep making such statements—the people will give you a fitting reply," Nabin said.

The controversy erupted on Sunday when Kharge, campaigning for the Kerala Assembly elections in Idukki district, said that the people of Kerala are “educated and clever" and cannot be misled, unlike those in Gujarat and other parts of the country.

“Don’t misguide the people of Kerala. They are very clever, they are educated. Modi ji, Vijay (Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan), you both can fool those who are illiterate in Gujarat or other places, but you can’t fool Kerala people," he said.

BJP leaders across the country reacted sharply to the remarks made by the Congress chief.

Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, “Insulting North India has now become the identity of Congress. What kind of mindset is this? When people reject them, they end up abusing the people. Do Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav accept this?"

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also launched a blistering attack on Kharge in a post on X, saying his remarks amounted to an insult to the six crore people of Gujarat and the state’s legacy of giving the country Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He accused the Congress of repeatedly targeting Gujarat and asked whether the party’s criticism stemmed from being “thrown out of power" by the people of the state.

“This statement doesn’t show your frustration, it reveals your true stature. The Congress, which insults this sacred land of Gandhi and Patel, has always been rejected by Gujarat’s aware public, And it will continue to reject it in the future too. Gujarat will not forgive," Sanghavi added.

News india ‘People Will Give Fitting Reply’: BJP Slams Kharge For ‘Illiterate Gujarat’ Remark

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