BANGALORE: Karnataka Congress Minister B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan has landed in controversy after making a racist slur at H.D. Kumaraswamy, the leader of the Janata Dal (Secular). Speaking at an election rally in Ramanagara, Khan used the derogatory term “Kalia” to describe Kumaraswamy, which has sparked outrage across political circles. The JD(S) has strongly condemned Khan’s comment, calling it deeply offensive and demanding his removal from the cabinet immediately.
Khan’s remarks also targeted Kumaraswamy’s political strategy, particularly his approach towards Muslim voters. The Congress minister went on to accuse Kumaraswamy of being “more dangerous than the BJP,” a comment that further inflamed tensions within the state’s political landscape. The allegation that Kumaraswamy manipulates religious communities for political gain has become a point of contention.
This incident highlights the ongoing friction between the Congress and JD(S) ahead of the upcoming elections. Political opponents have seized on Khan’s words as an example of the growing toxicity in Karnataka’s political environment, where verbal attacks have become commonplace. The controversy is expected to impact the relationships between the parties as they continue to navigate coalition dynamics.
In response to the backlash, the JD(S) has called for immediate disciplinary action against Khan. While the Congress has yet to make an official statement on his comments, the party’s leadership faces mounting pressure to distance itself from such inflammatory language. The political fallout from this incident is likely to reverberate throughout the election season, further complicating Karnataka’s political landscape.
