Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has refused to comment on Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge’s comments against PM Narendra Modi, stating that he does not want to respond to them now. The veteran politician did not respond when reporters asked him to comment on the dispute with Kharge about it, saying he was not prepared to give his opinion on it.
Deve Gowda was asked about Kharge’s comments against Prime Minister Modi during an interview with the media. But instead of offering a political opinion or backing either side, the former prime minister did not comment. His answer was in light of the exchange between the Congress president and the Prime Minister, which has attracted political notice.
"I am not going to react today. Whatever happened, I do not want to share anything,” Deve Gowda said.
The statement was not surprising because, as he was not in the political debate, he didn’t want to be involved in it. The former Prime Minister did not elaborate on his reasons for not commenting, but reporters tried to ask him his reaction. He also did not say when he would speak on the issue at all.
Deve Gowda’s response has attracted attention because he has been a politician for many years and is one of the most senior people in Indian politics, also in Karnataka. He has been prime minister of India and hence his comments, or the absence of them, are often closely watched when major political developments take place in the country.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda refuses to react when asked about Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge's comments against PM Modi. "I am not going to react today. Whatever happened, I do not want to share anything," says former PM HD Deve Gowda.
— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2026ALSO READ
Mallikarjun Kharge, who leads the Congress party nationally, is at the centre of the discussion following his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As a result, political leaders are being asked what they think of it.
Deve Gowda has declined to enter the debate at this point, however. He did not endorse Kharge’s comments nor did he criticise the Congress president or Prime Minister Modi. He offered only a brief response and declared that he did not wish to speak about it.
The former prime minister's decision not to comment on the affair is unusual at a time when senior leaders’ statements are getting a lot of political attention, and the media are inundated. Political parties, supporters and commentators are already talking about them, especially when they are among those in the most senior positions in national politics.
Deve Gowda has made his position clear: he does not intend to respond to the matter on the day he was questioned. His brief statement leaves open whether he might share his views in the future, but he has not made any further comments on Kharge’s remarks against Modi.
The former Prime Minister’s response was to refuse to comment, and no further explanation was given. Deve Gowda has decided to stay quiet and not to participate in the debate about the Congress president's statement.
His comments underline his current position of not commenting on the matter, even as he has been told by reporters to do so.
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