Priyank Kharge's village idiot remark escalates dispute with HD Kumaraswamy
The Janata Dal (Secular) launched a social media campaign after Home Minister Priyank Kharge used the term to refer to the former Chief Minister.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy engaged in a verbal dispute on Thursday regarding a sting operation investigation in Bengaluru. According to The Hindu, the conflict escalated after Kharge used the expression “halli guggu” (village idiot) to refer to Kumaraswamy.
The remark followed Kumaraswamy's questions about how a sensitive investigation could be live-streamed. Kharge had asked if the government was running
Bigg Boss
and told Kumaraswamy to stop making baseless allegations on a daily basis.
Kumaraswamy stated that while the words do not affect him, the Congress party is insulting the farming community and rural residents. He has demanded that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge respond to the comments made by his son.
The Janata Dal (Secular) responded with a social media campaign using the slogan “I too am Halli Guggu.” Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok defended Kumaraswamy, stating that a villager is the real strength of the nation.
The ongoing clash between the two leaders involves the Bengaluru city police investigation into an alleged sting video pertaining to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.