Bengaluru, June 17 -- Karnataka's political war over the RSS escalated sharply on Wednesday after former minister KS Eshwarappa described Home Minister Priyank Kharge as "kasa" (garbage) and said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should not have responded to his statement seeking details about the organisation's legal status.

"He is kasa (garbage). He does not deserve any response," Eshwarappa said while attacking Kharge for questioning the RSS and its functioning.

The senior BJP leader accused Kharge of targeting the RSS for publicity and challenged him to initiate legal action if he believed the organisation had violated any law.

"Who is he to question the RSS? If he has authority as Home Minister, let him act as per law instead of seeking publi...