‘Lost mental balance’: JP Nadda’s sharp jibe at Kharge sparks row, followed by apology

As Opposition benches made strong objections to Nadda's "mental balance" remark, he offered an apology

A massive uproar erupted in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday after Union minister JP Nadda said that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has lost his mental balance.

Soon after Kharge ended his over an hour-long speech during a discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Upper House, Nadda accused him of using controversial words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“He (Kharge) is a very senior leader but the way in which he had commented on the PM…I can understand his pain. He (PM Modi) has been there since 11 years now. He happens to be the most popular leader of the world… But you (Kharge) are so indulged in your party's activities, that nation's cause becomes negligible for you and after losing your 'mental balance', you utter unparliamentary words for PM Modi,” he said, adding that Kharge has not taken care of the PM’s stature.

As Opposition benches made strong objections to Nadda's "mental balance" remark, he offered an apology.

Kharge also said that Nadda is one of the ministers in the NDA government whom he respected, but said it was a matter of shame that he made such remarks against him and demanded his apology. “There are a few leaders in this House I have immense respect for. Nadda ji is one of them. Rajnath ji and he are ministers who speak without losing their balance. He is telling me today. This is a matter of shame. He should apologise, I am not going to leave this alone,” he said.

Speaking during the special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in the Upper House, the Congress leader attacked the government and took a jibe at PM Narendra Modi's unscheduled visit to Pakistan in 2015.

Kharge said the prime minister should have been present at all-party meet instead of campaigning in Bihar, and questioned Modi's sincerity towards national security.

Demanding accountability, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said the government should admit its 'lapses' and 'failure' in stopping terror attacks.

He asked if Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor's statement on security lapses was aimed at "saving" the home minister.

"Jammu Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha himself admitted that Pahalgam was a security lapse and what happened in Pahalgam was unfortunate, innocent people were brutally killed. (Sinha said) I take all responsibility for the incident. However the home minister must take responsibility for security lapse not the LG," Kharge said.