New Delhi, April 8 -- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed regret on Wednesday over his controversial statement calling the people of Gujarat "illiterate." In a post on X, Kharge said he has always had and will continue to have the highest of respect for the people of the state.

The Congress president said, "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."

Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a controversy during his assembly poll campaign in Kerala on Sunday, wherein he called the people of Gujarat...