Davanagere: A dispute over the release of irrigation water from the Bhadra reservoir has turned into a political controversy after Karnataka Minister SS Mallikarjun was caught on camera using abusive language against Harihara BJP MLA BP Harish during an interaction with farmers.

The episode has also raised questions over the response of both the ruling Congress minister and the BJP MLA to farmers seeking water for irrigation and livestock.

A group of farmers from the Harihara region approached District Minister Mallikarjun seeking the release of water from the Bhadra reservoir. During the interaction, the farmers told the minister that they had earlier approached MLA Harish over the issue.

“There is no water to drink, no water for the cattle. When we ask Harish Anna, he says, ‘Ask the minister’,” the farmers were heard telling Mallikarjun.

The farmers’ remarks appeared to anger the minister, who allegedly asked the villagers to “beat him with slippers” and also objected to the farmers referring to Harish as “Anna”, meaning elder brother.

The minister’s remarks have since triggered criticism from the BJP, with the party accusing him of behaving inappropriately while dealing with farmers’ concerns.

However, the incident has also put the spotlight on the MLA’s response to the farmers. According to the farmers themselves, when they sought his intervention over the water shortage, Harish directed them to approach the minister instead.

Harish later criticised Mallikarjun, saying the minister should have addressed the farmers’ concerns rather than using vulgar language against him.

“Instead of behaving properly with the farmers, he has used vulgar language about me. People will teach him a lesson,” Harish said.

Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra also condemned Mallikarjun’s remarks, alleging that the minister had used unparliamentary language against Harish and abused his parents.

“The Davanagere in-charge minister has used unparliamentary language against our Harihara MLA BP Harish. He has abused his parents as well. It is not just an insult to Harish but to the people of his constituency. If you speak in this manner just because you have power, people will decide about you in the coming days,” Vijayendra said.

The controversy has thus shifted attention away from the original issue — the farmers’ demand for water — to the conduct of both political leaders, with the MLA accused of passing the responsibility to the minister and the minister facing criticism for responding with abusive and inflammatory remarks.