Bengaluru, Nov 11 (Reporter) Karnataka's ruling Congress and opposition Janata Dal (Secular) on Monday raked up a political controversy as they hurled purported racial barbs at each other, questioning the skin colour of prominent leaders of the two parties. The controversy erupted after Congress leader and state Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, addressing a public event, referred to former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy as "Kaliya" (translated as 'blackie' or 'negro'), a term widely regarded as derogatory and racist. "Due to some differences within our party (Congress), he contested as an independent. With no other option, he joined the BJP. He was unwilling to join the JD(S) because 'Kaaliya Kumaraswamy' was seen as more dangerous than the BJP. Now, he (Yogeeshwara) has returned home," the minister remarked. The comment ignited strong reactions, with many criticising Zameer for his use of language. However, in their bid to get back at Zameer, the JD(S), in a post on social media platform X, began by questioning the skin colour of Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, a Kannadiga, and followed with similar queries about other prominent Karnataka politicians. The post said: "What is the colour of Sri Mallikarjuna Kharge, a Kannadigar?", followed by: "What is the colour of Mahadevappa?, What is the colour of Satish Jarakiholi?, What is the colour of Priyank Kharge?, What is the colour of KH Muniyappa?, What is the colour of KJ George?, What is the colour of DK Suresh?, and What is the colour of Rahman Khan?" The JDS also accused Zameer of using his power and greed to undermine Deve Gowda’s family, stating: "Your power and greed that you will buy the family of Deve Gowda, who brought you up politically, will not last long." The statement concluded with a call for action, saying: "Human skin is black and white? Dismiss such a low-minded person". The post tagged the Congress and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah". Lashing out at Zameer, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said: "This is Nafrat ki Dukan (a shop of hatred)," in a play of Rahul Gandhi's past assertion of having opened "Nafrat ki bazaar me Muhabbaat ki dukan" (shop of love in a market of hatred). "First, Congress divided the people on caste lines, and now they are venturing into racial divisions, following the example set by Sam Pitroda," said Piinawalla. The reference to Pitroda comes after his controversial remarks in the past about South Indians, which some critics have likened to a racial slur, referring to them as "Africans...////...