War of words between Karnataka Minister Mallikarjun, BJP MLA Harish spark public concern

Bengaluru, Sep 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) A bitter war of words between Karnataka Minister S.S. Mallikarjun and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA B.P. Harish has triggered a political controversy, with the leaders trading personal and derogatory remarks during an argument over farmers' demand for water to Harihar town in Davanagere district.

The videos of statements of both leaders have gone viral on social media on Wednesday.

The incident has also raised concern among sections of the public over the growing use of personal attacks and abusive language by elected representatives in political discourse.

Mallikarjun, who holds the Mines and Geology and Horticulture portfolios, is the son of veteran Congress leader late Shamanur Shivashankarappa. He is a prominent Congress leader from Davanagere. His wife, Prabha Mallikarjun, is a Congress Lok Sabha member, while his son Samarth Mallikarjun is the MLA from Davanagere South.

B.P. Harish, a senior BJP leader, is the lone BJP MLA from Davanagere district and represents the Harihar Assembly constituency.

The controversy erupted while Mallikarjun was inaugurating a veterinary hospital when a farmer reportedly raised the issue of providing water to Harihar town and took out the name of BJP MLA Harish.

Responding to the demand, Mallikarjun allegedly made derogatory remarks against Harish.

"Which Harish are you talking about? Will you address that son of a prostitute as 'anna' (bhaiyya)? Go and beat him with slippers," Mallikarjun was quoted as saying.

The remarks immediately triggered a political backlash.

Reacting to Mallikarjun, Harish accused the Karnataka Minister of being more concerned about securing political positions for his family members than addressing the concerns of farmers in the Davanagere district.

"Minister Mallikarjun can go to any length to get a Lok Sabha ticket for his wife and an MLA ticket for his son. He does everything to secure a Ministerial post. What concern does he have for the farmers of our district?" Harish said.

He alleged that water from the Bhadra reservoir was being diverted to districts in south Karnataka while Davanagere in central Karnataka, located closer to reservoir, was being denied its share.

Harish also hit back at Mallikarjun over his remarks on political etiquette and family background.

"My etiquette comes from my elders. My father taught me to raise my voice for the voiceless. He fought against feudalism and stood with labourers. I have inherited the same values and have launched struggles for farmers and the poor," BJP MLA Harish said.

Taking a personal swipe at Mallikarjun's family, Harish made allegations about the business activities of his late father and questioned the Minister's own conduct and called him "son of a thief".

He also alleged that Mallikarjun was focused only on his wife and son and had little concern for the people of his own Davangere North Assembly constituency.

Harish also said Mallikarjun could not tolerate a farmer respectfully addressing him as "anna" (bhaiyya) and alleged that the Minister wanted everyone around him to be part of his "coterie".

Reacting to Minister Mallikarjun's warning that he would beat him with boots, Harish said he was not intimidated.

"Minister Mallikarjun said he would beat me with boots. No matter whether his father comes back alive, he cannot touch our family. I have been in politics for 43 years. If he is truly his father's son, let him come and beat me with boots," BJP MLA Harish added.

The BJP MLA said he had been raising issues concerning farmers and had launched several agitations against the Minister.

He added that people would ultimately teach politicians who crossed the limits of political decency a lesson.

The exchange has drawn attention because of the increasingly personal nature of political attacks in Karnataka.

Questions are being raised over whether elected representatives should use such language against political opponents, particularly during public programmes involving farmers and other citizens.

Mallikarjun's role in the state Cabinet had also attracted political attention earlier. His name was reportedly not included in the initial list of Cabinet ministers, before the Congress leadership made a last-minute change ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

The latest controversy comes amid heightened political tensions in Karnataka, with the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP frequently clashing over governance, development and allegations against one another.

Source: IANS