Karnataka Minister and Congress figure Zameer Ahmed Khan stirred up controversy when he referred to Union minister and Janaa Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaaliya’, an offensive term used for individuals with darker skin.
During a campaign rally in Channapatna on Sunday, Khan remarked, “Kaaliya Kumaraswamy poses a greater threat than the BJP,” a comment that sparked significant backlash from rival leaders.
“Due to some differences in our party (Congress), CP Yogeshwar contested as an Independent. He had no option but to join the BJP. He was not ready to join the JD(S) because ‘Kaaliya Kumaraswamy’ was more dangerous than the BJP. Now he (Yogeshwar) has come back home,” Khan said.
Yogeshwar changed his loyalty from the BJP to the Congress before the Channapatna bypoll, which became necessary after Kumaraswamy stepped down as the MLA for the constituency and assumed a position in the Union.
The JD(S) strongly opposed Khan’s comments and called for the Congress to promptly dismiss the minister from the Karnataka Cabinet due to his racist remark.
“Your power and greed that you will buy the family of Deve Gowda who brought you up politically will not last long,” JD(S) said in a post on X.
