Mallikarjun Kharge expresses ‘sincere regret’ for Gujarat remark at poll rally

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday expressed "sincere regrets" for his remarks he made at a campaign rally in Kerala, where he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could “fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or other places” but not the electorate of the poll-bound state.

"Some remarks of mine in a recent election speech in Kerala are being deliberately misinterpreted. Even so, I express my sincere regret. It was never my intention to hurt the sentiments of the people of Gujarat for whom I have always had and will continue to have the highest of respect," Kharge posted on 'X'.

The BJP had demanded a public apology from the Congress chief and a police complaint was also filed by the party's Delhi unit.

Kharge had made the remark at a rally in Kerala's Idukki while seeking to contrast Kerala's electorate with voters in Gujarat.

He claimed that the people of Kerala were “very clever” and educated and could not be misled the way others in Gujarat. The remarks came as municipal polls are also scheduled to take place in Gujarat soon.