New Delhi, April 8 (NationPress) Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge issued an apology on Wednesday regarding his recent comments made at an election rally in Idukki, Kerala, where he compared the "educated and astute" Keralites to the "illiterate" populace of Gujarat.

He asserted that his words have been "intentionally misconstrued" and emphasized that he "never aimed" to offend the sentiments of Gujarat's residents.

The comments sparked outrage from both the BJP and individuals from Gujarat, who perceived them as a regional affront and a display of elitism.

In a post on X, Kharge stated, "Some of my statements from a recent election speech in Kerala are being intentionally misconstrued. Nevertheless, I offer my heartfelt apology. I never meant to hurt the sentiments of the people of Gujarat, whom I hold in the highest esteem and will continue to do so."

Earlier on April 6, Kharge faced severe backlash from the Gujarat administration for his remarks made during the election rally.

Speaking at a rally in Kerala’s Idukki district in advance of the Assembly elections, Kharge claimed that the state's residents are "educated and astute" and "cannot be misled", contrasting them with "those who are illiterate in Gujarat or other regions".

Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Kharge's comments during an election rally in Assam on Tuesday, stating that the Congress party, which labels Gujarat—the birthplace of illustrious figures like Dayanand Saraswati, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Vikram Sarabhai, and Modi—as illiterate, will face the repercussions from the electorate.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel labeled Kharge’s remarks as "extremely objectionable and regrettable", asserting that they have "diminished the dignity of Gujarat" and amounted to "an affront to Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel".

"The Congress party's bias against Gujarat and its people is not new but has persisted for years. Gujarat will not accept this indignity," CM Patel stated.

He further remarked that such comments reveal the party’s "insecurity" in light of "prevailing public support for development politics under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Challenging Kharge’s statements, CM Patel queried, "How can you label Gujaratis as illiterate and foolish? If Gujarat were truly illiterate, would such progress have been achievable?"

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also posed a series of pointed inquiries and demanded an apology.

In response to the comments, Sanghavi expressed that they had offended the "self-respect and pride of 6.5 crore Gujaratis" and asked, "Did you not feel a moment of shame while insulting the revered land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?"

He further questioned, "As long as Congress was victorious in Gujarat, the people were commendable, but once you began losing, has Gujarat suddenly become deficient?"

He also inquired, "Why do you target Gujarat in every election? Why do you continually deride Gujaratis? What is the source of this animosity?" and added, "Is this statement a product of your personal frustration or an official Congress strategy to consistently attack Gujarat?"

Sanghavi concluded that Kharge should "address these inquiries and apologize not only to Gujarat but to the citizens of the entire nation".

This exchange has escalated political tensions between the BJP and Congress in anticipation of upcoming elections, with the ruling party accusing Kharge of making a generalized and offensive statement, while Congress maintains that his remarks were a part of political critique during the campaign.