India, Sept. 9 -- Karnataka minister SS Mallikarjun's remarks against BJP MLA from Harihar, BP Harish, during an interaction with local farmers over the release of Bhadra reservoir water have triggered a political row in the state.

In a purported video of the interaction, the minister is heard using derogatory language against Harish, asking the locals to "beat him with slippers" and not use the term "anna" while referring to him, NDTV reported.

A group of farmers from the Harihar region had approached the district minister Mallikarjun to request the release of irrigation water from the Bhadra reservoir. The farmers told Mallikarjun that BJP MLA Harish had directed them to meet him.

"There is no water to drink, no water for the cattle....