BJP slams Priyank Kharge over remarks on RSS, Dakshina Kannada; seeks apology

BJP slams Priyank Kharge over remarks on RSS, Dakshina Kannada; seeks apology

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 17, 2026: The remarks made by Minister Priyank Kharge against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with reference to Dakshina Kannada are condemnable, said BJP Dakshina Kannada district president Satish Kumpala.

Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, Kumpala said Priyank Kharge had described the RSS as a “devil” and the BJP as its “shadow.” He criticised Kharge by stating that although his father had served as AICC president, he himself worked under Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and questioned whether Kharge would dare describe them as someone’s “shadow.”

He asserted that the RSS does not require registration as it functions on the strength of patriotic volunteers, and said Congress leaders had no moral right to speak against the RSS or the BJP.

Referring to Kharge’s claim that Dakshina Kannada was not developing due to communal tensions, Kumpala said that Kharge had been the IT-BT Minister for the past two-and-a-half years and challenged him to present data on what he had contributed to the district. “How many IT-BT companies have you brought here? How many jobs have been created? How much investment has been attracted?” he asked.

Alleging that incidents of unrest in the district occurred during Congress rule, Kumpala said representatives of all parties had contributed to Dakshina Kannada’s development. He pointed out that the district had eight medical colleges and asked how many such institutions existed in Kharge’s home district of Kalaburagi. “Students from across the country come to Dakshina Kannada for education—do they go to Kalaburagi?” he asked, adding that leaders who failed to develop their own districts had no right to make derogatory remarks about Dakshina Kannada.

Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty, BJP leaders Premananda Shetty, Yatheesh Arvar, Dinesh Amtur, treasurer Sanjay Prabhu and media coordinator Vasanth J. Poojary were present.

Bharath Shetty demands apology from Priyank Kharge

Mangaluru: Condemning Priyank Kharge’s remarks against the RSS and BJP, Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty demanded an immediate apology from the minister.

He alleged that Kharge was making such derogatory statements to gain favour by “holding the bucket” for Rahul Gandhi. Shetty also challenged Kharge to clearly define what he meant by “communal,” and said the minister had made no contribution to the development of Dakshina Kannada.

Shetty claimed that even proper tender documents for the local IT park had not been prepared and alleged the presence of a major mafia within Kharge’s department, stating that he would reveal details at a later stage.

Asserting that there was no secrecy regarding the sources of RSS funds, Shetty said that if Kharge had objections, he should approach the court.