Rayaraddi defends Priyank Kharge’s remarks on Kumaraswamy

Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi has defended Minister Priyank Kharge over his controversial use of the expression ‘halli guggu’, saying it was a colloquial expression used by people in rural areas and should not be misunderstood.

“This is our people’s colloquial language. There is no need to misunderstand it. People in villages used such expressions. There is nothing wrong in using a rural expression,” he said, adding that Mr. Kharge had spoken appropriately.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Rayaraddi said he had known Mr. Kharge since childhood and described him as a well-educated, straightforward person who spoke his mind. “When he speaks the truth, it can be bitter. What is wrong with what Mr. Priyank has said? He speaks with a sense of reason,” he said.

Referring to the ongoing exchange of remarks and poster campaign between the two leaders, Mr. Rayaraddi said there was nothing wrong with Mr. Kharge’s response. He criticised Mr. Kumaraswamy and others for making what he described as aimless remarks and urged them to avoid such political discourse.

On the issue of rising prices and the proposed increase in bus fares, Mr. Rayaraddi said price fluctuations were not confined to Karnataka and that commodities such as rice were similarly priced in neighbouring States, including Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

He questioned why the BJP did not raise the issue of hike in petrol and diesel prices by the Union government when criticising the State government over price rises.

“Increase in bus fares had become unavoidable in view of the rising cost of fuel and the financial burden of providing free bus travel to around 3.5 crore women under the State government’s Shakti scheme. The government did not have unlimited financial resources,” Mr. Rayaraddi said.

Responding to the demand by farmers for a higher support price for tur, Mr. Rayaraddi said the minimum support price (MSP) was fixed by the Union government. He cautioned against directly comparing the prices offered in Maharashtra and Karnataka, stating that Maharashtra had a more established network of cooperative societies and sugar factories. Karnataka’s cooperative and sugar industry infrastructure was comparatively less developed, he said.

He added that the Chief Minister and the State Cabinet would take an appropriate decision on the farmers’ concerns.

Published - November 07, 2026 08:13 pm IST