Gandhinagar/New Delhi, April 6 – Union Sports Minister and Porbandar MP Mansukh Mandaviya accused the Congress party of having a "negative mindset" towards Gujarat on Monday, following a political row sparked by remarks made by the party's national president, Mallikarjun Kharge, during a rally in Kerala.
Addressing a public meeting in Idukki ahead of the Assembly elections, Kharge had said: "Don't mislead the people of Kerala. They are very intelligent and well-educated. Modi and Vijayan, you can fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or other places, but you cannot fool the people of Kerala."
Responding to Kharge's statement, Mandaviya said, "The Congress party's negative attitude towards Gujarat and Gujaratis is nothing new. Whether it is the attempt to ignore the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, or the case of stalling the Narmada dam project and obstructing the state's development, the Congress has always worked against the interests of Gujarat."
Referring directly to Kharge's remarks, he added: "Kharge's recent statement also reflects this same thinking, which shows the bitterness and ill intent towards Gujarat that exists within the Congress."
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the comments as "highly objectionable and unfortunate."
"The statement made by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding the people of Gujarat is highly objectionable and unfortunate," Patel said.
"Such remarks not only insult six crore Gujaratis, but also hurt the dignity of the sacred land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel," he said.
He added: "Gujarat has always played a leading role in nation-building, development and unity, and will continue to do so. Such statements reflect the narrow mindset of the Congress."
CM Patel further said: "This remark clearly shows how uncomfortable and insecure Congress feels due to the politics of development led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the widespread public support it is receiving."
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also criticised Kharge, saying: "Why does Congress have so much hatred towards Gujarat? Why do you repeatedly target the people of Gujarat?"
Calling the remarks an insult, he added: "An insult to six crore Gujaratis? Is this revenge because the people of Gujarat voted you out of power?"
Sanghavi further said: "The aware people of Gujarat have always rejected the Congress that insults the sacred land of Gandhi and Patel, and will continue to reject it in the future."
Kharge's comments were made as part of his campaign in Kerala, where he targeted both the BJP and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), intensifying political exchanges between the parties across states.