BJP calls Kharge’s statement ‘anti-Gujarati’, demands apology

Gandhinagar: Ahead of local body elections in Gujarat, the comment made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has lent a powerful ammunition to the ruling BJP in Gujarat.

Kharge’s had attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinaray Vijayan in an election Rally and said "You can fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or other places, can't fool Keralam people.”

Terming the comment as blatantly anti Gujarati, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a press conference along with deputy Chief Minister Marsh Sanghavi to register an official condemnation to Kharge’s remark.


Alleging that Congress has always harboured ill-will towards Gujarat, Patel described the comment unfortunate and yet another example of Congress’s anti Gujarat mindset. Stating that with this comment has not only insulted six and a half crore Gujarati but also the legacy of Gandhiji and Sardar Patel.

Stating that the comment is a signifier of Congress’s inherent insecurity due to BJP’s consistent growth, Patel also alleged that the Congress led UPA government had constantly created impediments towards Gujarat’s development.

Patel also alleged that the companies desirous of investing in Gujarat after Vibrant Gujarat Summits were terrorised through Income Tax department in the UPA era.

Earlier in the day, Gujarat BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma also targeted Congress on the issue and alleged that Kharge’s remark is an assault on the dignity of the state. Stressing upon the contributions of Gujaratis in nation building, Vishwakarma alleged that Kharge’s comments only underline the disconnect of COngress’s leadership with the grassroots level.