Karnataka minister slams BJP, Congress and JD(S), says they'll exist till inequality does

The political atmosphere in Karnataka has heated up as the Lok Sabha polls is fast approaching. BSP chief Mayawati recently dumped the Congress and almost destroyed the aspirations of a Mahagathbandhan. And following this shock comes BSP MLA and Karnataka primary and secondary education minister N Mahesh's statement which has left the Karnataka government red faced.

Addressing a public gathering at Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka on Thursday minister N Mahesh said, "Basavanna and his followers fought against religion, gender discrimination and died. Bahujan Samaj Party workers must understand this I know that others won't understand this at all. Congress, BJP or JD(S) they won't understand this philosophy. Congress, BJP and JD(S) will exist until inequality and religion exists. When inequality ceases to exist then BSP will come to power."

The open rant by the BSP legislator has opened a can of arms ahead of the cabinet expansion in the coalition government. Although the BSP has got only one MLA in Karnataka its ties with the JD(S) will be put to test in the 2019 polls. The BSP, on the other hand, has been maintaining that its ties with JD(S) and other such regional party's will go a long way as it eyes for a third front.

READ | Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy Takes A Dig At Media, Claims Bombastic News Being Broadcast

The BJP claims that Mahesh's statement has displayed a lack of unity within ministers in the coalition government. " Congress and JD(S) is communal. On one hand, BSP has dumped Congress for Lok Sabha on the other they're happily sharing power with it in the state. If they're discontent with the Congress they must withdraw their support to it, let Mahesh resign from the cabinet. " - Prakash, Spokesperson, BJP.

The JD(S) in its defence said, "Be it N Mahesh or somebody else they tend to get carried away. Humanity and equality existed even before Congress, BJP and JD(S) and it will continue to exist even in the future. It's human tendency to fight for what belongs to them. I don't think N Mahesh should have made such a statement but I don't know in what context he's said this. A person of his caliber must not make such statements".-Tanveer Ahmed, Spokesperson, JD(S).

N Mahesh's statement has definitely not gone down well with its coalition partners the Congress and JD(S). Although BSP is not expected to play a big role in Karnataka politics, its role in the 2019 polls will be crucial. A lot will weigh on how the political party's stand together to fight the BJP.

READ | Mayawati Dumps Congress, Says ‘BSP Will Contest Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh Elections On Its Own’