“We are not corporate chameleons like you”

Bengaluru: The political confrontation between Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has intensified, with the Janata Dal (Secular) launching a counterattack over Kharge’s alleged remarks referring to Kumaraswamy as a “village idiot.”

The controversy erupted amid an ongoing war of words between the two leaders over the alleged sting operation case. As both leaders continued trading accusations, the JDS seized on Kharge’s remark and launched a campaign across social media.

JDS leaders have been posting messages on their social media accounts with the slogan, “Home Minister, we are villagers. So what?” expressing solidarity with Kumaraswamy and taking exception to what they described as an insult to rural people.

A flex banner carrying a similar message has also been put up near Bidadi in Ramanagara taluk. The JD(S) has further announced plans to launch a statewide protest against Kharge’s statement.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy responded to the controversy through a post on X, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s famous statement that “India lives in its villages.” “Yes, I am a villager. I was born there and grew up playing in the fields and cattle sheds. I am proud to call myself a villager,” Kumaraswamy said, taking an indirect dig at Kharge, who grew up in an urban environment.

The JD(S) also issued a strongly worded statement on X, accusing Kharge of displaying arrogance and disrespect towards rural communities. Addressing the Home Minister, the party said that by allegedly calling a former Chief Minister and current Union Minister a “village fool” and an “idiot,” Kharge had exposed his arrogance and upbringing.The party alleged that the remarks were not merely an insult to Kumaraswamy but also an affront to millions of rural residents, farmers and hardworking people across the country. “Those who say ‘yes sir’ to leaders in Delhi and Italy will never understand the self-respect of villagers,” the JDS said in its post, accusing Kharge of being disconnected from rural realities.

The party further criticised Kharge, describing him as a “Twitter politician” who, according to the JDS, could not understand the hardships faced by farmers and rural communities.

Defending Kumaraswamy, the JDS highlighted his political record, particularly his village stay programmes and loan waiver initiatives for farmers. The party claimed that Kumaraswamy had personally interacted with rural communities through his village stay programmes and had stood by farmers by announcing complete farm loan waivers during his two tenures as Chief Minister. “Unlike corporate chameleons who keep changing colours, we are proud village people who stand with farmers,” the JDS said, taking another swipe at Kharge.

The party also accused the Congress leadership of failing to deliver meaningful benefits to ordinary people while allegedly indulging in personal attacks and political rhetoric. In its sharpest political attack, the JDS warned Kharge and the Congress that rural voters would respond to the alleged insult at the ballot box. The party said that although villagers might be innocent and simple, they were not foolish enough to be misled by what it described as the Congress party’s political tactics. “Remember, Mr. Priyank Kharge. When elections arrive, you will have to visit the homes of these very villagers seeking their votes,” the party said.

Karnataka Assembly elections, the JDS claimed that rural voters would reject Kharge and his party.

The escalating exchange has added another dimension to the political rivalry between the JDS and Congress, with the controversy now shifting beyond the two leaders to a broader debate over rural identity, political respect and the dignity of farmers.

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The Hans India