New Delhi, April 8 -- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday expressed regret over remarks from a recent election speech in Kerala, saying they were "deliberately misinterpreted" and affirming his respect for the people of Gujarat.

In a post on X, Kharge wrote, "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."

This comes after a poll campaign in Kerala's Idukki district, Congress president sought to make a comparison between people in Keralam and in Gujarat as he attacked Prime Minister Nar...