Addressing the House during the ongoing session, Kharge recalled his long association with Deve Gowda before taking a dig at the former PM for his decision to join the BJP-led NDA alliance.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday took a “bewafa” jibe at former Prime Minister and retiring Rajya Sabha MP HD Deve Gowda, leaving the House, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in splits.
Addressing the House during the ongoing session, Kharge recalled his long association with Deve Gowda before taking a dig at the former PM for his decision to join the BJP-led NDA alliance.
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“I have known Deve Gowda for more than 54 years, and I have worked with him a lot,” he said, adding, “Later, I don’t know what happened. ‘Wo prem humare saath kiye, shaadi Modi sahab ke sath’.”
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His remarks triggered a wave of laughter in the House, and even Prime Minister Modi was left amused. Deve Gowda’s JDS was an alliance partner of the Congress in Karnataka during their government in 2018-19. However, the JDS broke its alliance to join the BJP-led NDA in 2023.
Watch the video below
#WATCH | Delhi | On Former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha MP, HD Deve Gowda, Congress National President and LoP, Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge says, "…I know Deve Gowda ji for more than 54 years and I worked with him a lot. Later, I don't know what happened…' Wo mohabbat… pic.twitter.com/FTyNLCQIzB
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2026
Kharge also asserted that those in politics and public life “neither get tired nor retire” because of their passion for serving the country.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also thanked the retiring MPs for their contributions and wished them well for their future endeavours. Modi also reminded the retiring leaders that there is no full stop in politics.
“Discussions take place on various issues in the House, and every member plays a unique role in them. In moments like these, a common sense of respect is generated, rising above party lines. To the leaders who are leaving the House after the end of their tenure, I want to say that there is no full stop in politics. The future is waiting for you. Your experience and contribution will always be remembered,” the PM said.
He said that the newly elected MPs need to learn from senior leaders such as HD Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sharad Pawar, who have spent more than half their lives in Parliamentary work.
“HD Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sharad Pawar are senior leaders who have spent more than half of their lives in parliamentary work. Newly elected MPs should learn from them,” he said.
HD Deve Gowda, Ramdas Athawale, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Tiruchi Siva, Amarendra Dhari Singh, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi are among the 37 retiring MPs.
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