Gujarat Confidential: In Solidarity

In response to BJP MP Sushmita Dev's comment on CPM's John Brittas' attire, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, demonstrated solidarity with the Kerala MP by donning a Malayali 'mundu' to Parliament on Wednesday. Alongside him were MPs Haris Beeran, P Sandosh Kumar, Brittas, and others, all clad in traditional 'dhoti' or 'mundu'.

Kharge proudly identified himself as one of the individuals wearing the traditional attire. As he participated in the deliberation on the Bill to rename Kerala as Keralam in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale commenced his address with a rhyme, stating, "Modi ji aur Amit Shahji mein hai dum, iss liye unke saath hai hum".

Turning his attention towards the nearly empty Opposition benches, he claimed that the DMK and the AAP were "with us" since their MPs were still present in the House. However, he swiftly corrected himself, remarking, "Arvind Kejriwal is not with us, but Sanjay ji [MP Sanjay Singh] can come with us", prompting laughter from both sides of the aisle, including Singh.