New Delhi, March 19: Former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha MP H.D. Devagowda humorously responded to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks made in Parliament on Wednesday. Kharge had jokingly stated that Devagowda had a ‘love’ for Congress but ultimately ‘married’ the BJP and Modi. In response, Devagowda took to the social media platform X, sharing a letter that offered a light-hearted yet factual reply.
Devagowda wrote, “My dear friend Mallikarjun Kharge made a humorous comment today in Parliament about my ‘love’ for Congress and my ‘marriage’ to the BJP. I was not present in the House when he spoke, as I had to go to Bengaluru for the Ugadi celebration.”
He added that if he were to respond in the language of ‘marriage,’ it would be that he had a ‘forced marriage’ with Congress, but due to the disrespectful relationship, he had to seek a ‘divorce.’
In his letter, Devagowda referenced an incident from 2018, explaining that Congress had sent Ghulam Nabi Azad to offer H.D. Kumaraswamy the Chief Minister position. Devagowda opposed this and suggested Kharge be made Chief Minister, but Congress insisted on Kumaraswamy. Then in 2019, Congress broke the alliance, leading several MLAs to join the BJP. Devagowda stated, “If Congress had taken action against the defectors, Kharge would be in a better position as Congress President today.”
He clarified that he did not leave the Congress alliance; rather, Congress left him. “They left me with no option but to seek a ‘divorce’ and look for a stable alliance.” Devagowda described Kharge as an ‘honest person’ and noted that while Congress did not allow him to progress, PM Modi offered him respect and love.
Devagowda’s Janata Dal (Secular) has long been allied with Congress, but in recent years, his statements and support have shifted. Kharge’s comment elicited laughter in the House, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also smiling. Devagowda’s response, while humorous, is filled with serious facts that highlight the historical context and current alliances in Karnataka politics.
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