‘Forced marriage with Congress’: Deve Gowda’s sharp reply to Kharge sparks political debate

New Delhi: A light-hearted remark by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha has triggered a sharp political response from former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, bringing back memories of past alliances and political rifts.

During a farewell function for retiring members in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge, who is also president of the Indian National Congress, made a witty comment about Deve Gowda’s political journey. “I have known him for 54 years. He loved us, but eventually married Narendra Modi,” Kharge said, drawing laughter in the House.

Responding to the remark, Deve Gowda issued a detailed statement from Bengaluru, saying he was not present in the House as he had travelled for Ugadi celebrations. However, he chose to respond in the same “marriage” metaphor used by Kharge.

“If I were to reply in the same language, I would say I was in a ‘forced marriage’ with the Congress, but had to ‘divorce’ them because it became an abusive relationship,” Deve Gowda said, turning Kharge’s humour into a pointed political counter.

Elaborating further, the JD(S) patriarch recalled the 2018 Karnataka coalition between the Congress and the Janata Dal Secular. He claimed that he had suggested Kharge’s name for the Chief Minister’s post during discussions. “In the presence of everyone, I had said Kharge should be made Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah was also present,” he noted.

However, Deve Gowda alleged that senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad insisted on H. D. Kumaraswamy taking charge as Chief Minister. Though the coalition government was eventually formed, Deve Gowda hinted that internal disagreements persisted.

Referring to the collapse of the coalition in 2019, he accused the Congress of betrayal. “After all the song, dance and a ‘wedding’, what happened in 2019? They dumped us,” he said, pointing to defections that brought down the government.

He further stated that if the Congress had acted firmly against those who triggered defections, Kharge “would be in a better position today.” Emphasising his stance, Deve Gowda said he did not abandon the alliance. “I did not desert the Congress. It is they who walked away, leaving me with no option but to ‘divorce’ and seek a more stable alliance,” he asserted.

The exchange has once again highlighted the fragile nature of coalition politics in Karnataka, where past partnerships continue to shape present political narratives.