Karnataka election 2018: In a big controversy, V Sunil Kumar, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Karnataka, has said that contest in the state’s Bantwal constituency during the upcoming assembly polls will be “between Allah and Lord Rama”. Sunil Kumar’s comments came in response to remarks from a minister who credited his successive wins in the polls to Allah and Muslims. Kumar, representing the Karkala contituency in the assembly, also termed the election to Bantwal as a “question of Hindu self-esteem”. Recently, Bantwal MLA and minister Ramanatha Rai had credited his successive victories from the constituency to the grace of Allah and secular credentials of the Muslim community there. Kumar, who looked displeased by Rai’s comments, said: “This election is a question of Hindu self-esteem. I read in the paper and I was surprised, a legislator who got elected from this constituency for six times has said that he has won because of the grace of Allah.”
Sunil Kumar, known for his fiery speeches, is a senior leader in Karnataka BJP. Kumar is currently serving as BJP chief whip in the assembly. The leader was first elected as the MLA between 2004-2007. Later in 2013, he was elected as the MLA of Karkala Taluk for the second time. He also served as the president of state unit of BJP Yuva Morcha. His website, Sunilkumar.in, credits him for various works in his constituency. “He gave special impotence to many projects and the end results were, the polytechnic college in Karkala, Morarji Boarding School of Miyar, Koti Chennaiah Theam Park in memory of immortal Hero of Thulunadu ‘Koti Chennaiah’a Guest House constructed with an expenditure of Rs. 60.00 lakhs near Hiriyangadi of Karkala and also a fully fledged Sports Stadium which is like a gift to Karkala Taluk,” reads a post on the website.
Watch | BJP MLA SUNIL KUMAR CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT
In 2013, Sunil was once again elected as the MLA of Karkala Taluk. The leader operates from two different offices, one is for operations in his assembly constituency and other is the office of opposition chief whip.
Kumar is not the first politician in the state to have made commual remarks. In fact, communal comments are flying in Karnataka ahead of the important Assembly elections in which BJP is eyeing a comeback, while the Congress will try to win the important state again.
Kumar had said “I request friends here, the election here is not between Rajesh Naik (BJP) and Ramanatha Rai; it is an election between Allah and Rama. Whom, Bantwal wants it has to be decided. Whether we will repeatedly make Allah win or will we make a person who loves Rama win, people of Bantwal has to decide.”