• By Abhirupa Kundu
  • Sat, 03 Feb 2024 12:53 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's small gaffe in the Rajya Sabha on Friday caused much mirth among the treasury benches and also marked one of the rare moments of the ruling government wholeheartedly agreeing with an opposition leader's statement.

Kharge while speaking on the issue of women's representation said, "Aapka itna bahumat hai, pehle 330,334 thi, ab to '400 paar' ho raha hai (You have a majority of 330, 334 seats and 400 is being crossed now)."

Even though, the Congress chief was hinting at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s slogan which aims at winning 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The faux pas while delivering the same sparked laughter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, others in the treasury benches, and even Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

"I think a leader of opposition has never been applauded so much, it's a record. Your (Kharge's) speech is being praised." Dhankar quipped.

Kharge's attempts at clarification went futile as Goyal stood up saying, "Today, Kharge ji has finally said the truth and nothing but the truth."

The saffron camp posted a clip of the speech on social media platform 'X' with a caption reading: "PM Modi be like, 'I need new haters, the old ones have become my fans.'"

"I know why it is being praised. They (the BJP) are blowing their own trumpet, saying they will get 400 seats or 500 seats... They won't cross even 100 seats. INDIA is strong," the Congress chief attempted to clarify.