A war of words has erupted between veteran leaders as former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda hit back strongly at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his “marriage” jibe, turning a light-hearted comment into a sharp political exchange.
Kharge’s ‘Marriage’ Remark in Parliament
During a discussion, Kharge had jokingly said that he shared a long association with Deve Gowda but could not understand why the latter had “married” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, despite being “in love” with the Congress. The remark drew laughter but also triggered a strong response.
Deve Gowda’s ‘Abusive Relationship’ Reply
Responding in the same tone, Deve Gowda said his alliance with the Congress was like a “forced marriage” that eventually turned into an “abusive relationship,” forcing him to “divorce” the party.
In his statement, he said, “If I were to respond in the same language, I would say I was in a forced marriage with Congress but had to divorce them because it became abusive.”
‘Congress Left Me, Not the Other Way’
The JDS patriarch clarified that he did not abandon the Congress alliance. Instead, he claimed it was the Congress that walked away, leaving him with no option but to seek a more stable political partnership. He added that aligning with the BJP was a strategic decision aimed at stability.
From Alliance to Collapse in Karnataka
The Janata Dal (Secular) had earlier formed a coalition government with the Indian National Congress in Karnataka in 2018 under H D Kumaraswamy. However, the alliance collapsed in July 2019 after political turmoil, ending the partnership abruptly.
JDS Shift to NDA Camp
In a major political shift, the JDS later joined the National Democratic Alliance in 2023, aligning itself with the BJP at the national level. Currently, Kumaraswamy serves as a Cabinet Minister in the Modi-led government, highlighting the party’s new political direction.
Political Heat Rises Ahead of Elections
The exchange between Gowda and Kharge reflects the growing political tensions and shifting alliances in Indian politics. What began as a humorous remark has now turned into a sharp narrative battle, with both sides defending their past decisions and current alignments.
As political equations continue to evolve, such verbal sparring signals the intense contest and strategic positioning ahead of upcoming elections.
