‘Sting’ Line: Priyanka’s ‘Village idiot’ remark adds fuel to HDK’s war of words

The ongoing war of words between Union minister and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and home minister Priyank Kharg over the operation ‘sting’ probe escalated on Thursday, with the latter using the term ‘halli guggu’ (village idiot) to refer to the former, leading to strong backlash.

The Janata Dal (Secular) launched a campaign on social media and hit out at Mr. Kharge with the slogan “I too am Halli Guggu”. Earlier in the day, Mr Kumaraswamy said the comment disrespected the farming community and rural people.

HD Kumaraswamy

Mr Kharge on Wednesday questioned whether Mr Kumaraswamy was a “village idiot”, responding to doubts expressed by Mr Kumaraswamy about the “stabbing” probe. Asked how a sensitive investigation could be “live-streamed”, Mr Kharge asked, “Are we running Bigg Boss? Can the investigation be live-streamed?” He went on to say that Mr. Kumaraswamy must stop behaving like a “village idiot” and making “baseless allegations” on a daily basis.

Reacting to Mr. Kharge’s remark, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “Those words do not concern me, but the Congress is insulting the farming community by using such an expression.” He demanded that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge respond to his son’s comments.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders jumped to Mr Kumaraswamy’s defence. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok took to social media to remind Mr. Kharge of the famous song from the films Dr. Raj Kumara who says “Halliayadarenu Shiva Dilliyadarenu Shiva” trying to condemn those who try to look down on the villagers. “If Dr. Raj Kumar were alive today, he would have told Mr. Priyank Kharge that the villager is not an idiot. He is the real strength of the nation,” Mr. Ashok remarked.

This latest flare-up is part of an ongoing political clash between the two leaders, the latest of which concerns the Bengaluru city police’s investigation into an alleged stabbing video involving former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Published – 5 Nov 2026 22:36 IST