2 min readNew DelhiMar 24, 2026 05:10 AM ISTFormer Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Deve Gowda. (File photo)SPEAKING IN the Rajya Sabha on Monday, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda took the opportunity to respond to a recent remark by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge that the JD(S) leader “had loved us (Congress), but married Modi”. He said he didn’t want to hurt the feelings of Kharge, who he described as a good friend and someone whom he had worked with. He reaffirmed his party’s commitment to the NDA, but made it clear that the JD(S) would not merge with any party. “(JD-U’s) Nitish Kumar wants my party to merge, let me be very honest. I told him not now. No question. I was with NDA. There is no question of merger.”Exception for Young MPSpeaking for 12 minutes during Zero Hour on Monday, SKM MP Indra Hang Subba feted PM Narendra Modi for becoming the longest-serving head of govt in the country, even as Opposition MPs protested against his long speech. Hailing PM Modi for bringing unprecedented development to both Sikkim and the northeast, Subba underlined that prior to him, it was former Sikkim CM Pawan Kumar Chamling who had a record 8,930-day stint in public office. Modi’s ongoing tenure clocked 8,931 days on Sunday. Reacting to the protesting Opposition MPs, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Subba was allowed to speak for as long as he did since he was a young parliamentarian from the region and usually got less time to address the House. © The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:H D Deve GowdaAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Live BlogUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran parliament speaker denies talks after Trump claims ‘major points of agreements’4 minutes agoRajasthan Board RBSE 10th Class Result 2026 Live Updates: RBSE Class 10 results on March 24, where will it be released?6 minutes agoRBSE Shala Darpan Class 5th, 8th Result 2026 Live Updates: Results on March 24 at rajshaladarpan.rajasthan.gov.in26 minutes agoDubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE News Live Updates: ‘Indian missions in affected region extending all possible help to our people,’ says PM Modi28 minutes agoRajasthan Board RBSE 10th Class Result 2026 Live Updates: Board to release scorecards on March 246 hours ago