How Congress Leader’s Dig At Kumaraswamy May Prove To Be Own Goal For Party In Channapatna Bypoll

Last Updated:November 15, 2024, 12:46 IST

Zameer Ahmed Khan’s comment on Kumaraswamy’s appearance has rattled the Congress too, with Yogeshwar blaming him for losing support from the community

CP Yogeshwar faced not only Khan’s misstep but also the fierce backing of the JD(S) machinery for Nikhil. (X)

The last-minute leap CP Yogeshwar made from BJP to Congress for the Channapatna by-election looked like a calculated move, but the real blow came from unexpected quarters — his own Congress ally Zameer Ahmed Khan.

A visibly upset and almost-resigned Yogeshwar didn’t hold back in blaming Khan if he loses the election. “This by-election was critical for me. Khan’s statements may have been intended to gain votes, but they have caused us to lose votes as well," the five-time MLA and political heavyweight told News18.

Just days before polling, Khan made a controversial remark targeting JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy’s skin colour, calling him “kalia" (black man) and accusing him of using Muslim votes as a political bargaining chip. This statement, intended as an attack on Kumaraswamy, backfired, alienating voters and rattling Yogeshwar’s campaign.

“The party workers and supporters have been hurt by the statements made by a certain individual. It has affected the voters deeply; I can see it. Khan’s statements may have been with the intention of consolidating Muslim votes, but his statement has caused us to lose critical votes from another community. While trying to consolidate the Muslim votes in our favour, his words have hurt sentiments, and I think votes from other communities will be reduced due to that," said Yogeshwar, who was keen on winning his seat and, at one point, believed he would secure a big lead.

Khan’s remarks on Kumaraswamy were sharp. “CP Yogeshwar did not go to JD(S) because ‘kalia’ (the black man) Kumaraswamy is worse than the BJP. Mr Kumaraswamy is looking to buy Muslim votes after joining the BJP, but instead, all the Muslims will pool their money and buy your (Kumaraswamy’s) family."

Playing a purported audio clip through the microphone, where a man is heard saying there will be no votes from Muslims, Khan asked the crowd: “Who is saying this? The kala (black) Kumaraswamy." The statement was shocking even to his party colleagues — Raheem Khan, former Bengaluru MP DK Suresh, and Yogeshwar — who stood beside him at the rally and exchanged glances.

Although Khan later regretted his remark and apologised, the damage was done, say insiders.

“He is a minister and in a responsible position. Even in the moment, be it to energise the crowd or garner favour, this was not the way to speak. People have taken it seriously and if the party does lose the seat, one of the reasons would be Khan’s remark," said a Congress leader who sought anonymity.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah distanced himself from Khan’s remark, with other leaders condemning the statement. “I do not approve of what Khan said. Such statements are not acceptable," Siddaramaiah said in an exclusive interview with News18.

Voters in Channapatna, especially those with deep respect for Kumaraswamy as a prominent Vokkaliga leader and the son of former prime minister Deve Gowda, saw the comment as a racist affront.

This is not the first time Khan has made remarks about Kumaraswamy’s appearance.

The clash between film actors-turned-politicians, Yogeshwar and Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil, had already turned Channapatna into a political hotspot. With DK Shivakumar, the state’s deputy chief minister, also invested in flipping the constituency to avenge his brother’s previous defeat, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

For Yogeshwar, the fallout was palpable; he had anticipated a tough race against Nikhil but hadn’t foreseen the additional challenge of Khan’s controversial rhetoric.

Yogeshwar faced not only Khan’s misstep but also the fierce backing of the JD(S) machinery for Nikhil. HD Kumaraswamy, who vacated the seat after winning the Lok Sabha seat from Mandya, campaigned aggressively to ensure his son would reclaim it.

“One factor has been Kumaraswamy’s campaign to ensure that only his family should win this election, along with the determination of senior leader Deve Gowda to secure my defeat. Deve Gowda has taken a promise from the people that his grandson must win the election against me. Kumaraswamy made it clear that people should choose only Nikhil. In this Vokkaliga-dominant seat of the Old Mysore region, they have worked to ensure that only the JD(S) would win, bringing in influential leaders from neighbouring constituencies to campaign for Nikhil," Yogeshwar said.

Khan, Karnataka’s housing, Waqf, and minority affairs minister, is no stranger to controversy. Already under fire for his involvement in the Waqf land scandal, he stirred up further controversy last December during the election campaign in Telangana.

In his address during a campaign rally, Khan boasted about the increased representation of Muslims in Karnataka’s government, emphasising Congress’s role in appointing UT Khader as the state’s first Muslim Speaker.

“Today, BJP leaders join hands and salute before UT Khader (a Muslim leader) because of the Congress," he said. The statement went viral on social media, and BJP MLAs protested, demanding his dismissal.

Channapatna, India

News elections How Congress Leader’s Dig At Kumaraswamy May Prove To Be Own Goal For Party In Channapatna Bypoll