Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has launched a scathing attack on Mallikarjun Kharge, criticizing his insensitive response to farmers' plight as a reflection of "Congress's arrogance and pride." Kumaraswamy expressed deep disappointment, stating, "Honorable Mallikarjun Kharge, your behavior towards farmers has deeply hurt me. I never expected such conduct from a senior leader like you. If a struggling farmer cannot share his grievances with someone like you, then who should he turn to?"Kumaraswamy further questioned Kharge's actions, saying, "You are the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the President of the All India Congress Committee.

Have you forgotten these responsibilities while speaking? Is it right to display such arrogance towards a farmer who came to share his pain? You may also be a farmer growing toor dal, but can your situation, farming 40 acres, be compared to that of a poor farmer cultivating one or two acres? You may have the capacity to bear losses, but does that farmer have the same strength?"Kharge reportedly remarked, "Your 4 acres might be ruined, but my 40 acres are destroyed. Not just toor dal, but urad, cotton, and sunflower crops are also ruined. Who should I go and tell? Don’t come here seeking publicity."

This was in response to a young farmer who, during a meeting with Congress workers at Kharge’s residence, showed him damaged toor dal crops and said, "My 4 acres of toor dal crop have been ruined, sir." Angered, Kharge retorted, "Have you come to show me the damaged toor dal? How much of your toor dal is ruined?" When the youth politely replied, "Four acres of my crop is ruined, sir," Kharge responded, "Your 4 acres are ruined, my 40 acres are ruined. Have you brought toor dal for publicity? I know not just toor dal but urad and other crops are ruined too.

This is like a woman who delivered three children talking in front of one who delivered six."Kumaraswamy condemned Kharge’s remarks, saying, "Mr. Kharge, what kind of talk is this? Should a senior leader like you speak this way? You have insulted a farmer and, along with it, a mother. This is not right. You could have at least offered words of comfort to wipe away that farmer’s tears. Your behavior is a testament to the Congress party’s traditional arrogance and pride."