Bengaluru: Taking a jibe at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda on Saturday described him as ‘Bhasmasura’ (a demon in Hindu mythology) and said that those who ally with him will be reduced to ashes.

Speaking to reporters here who sought his reaction to speculation in political circles that like-minded Opposition parties may form a coalition to check the surge of the BJP in the country, Gowda cited the dismal performance of the Congress-SP coalition in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections adding that the JD(S) will face the same consequences if the party decides to join hands with the Congress leader in the coming days

He further said a section of the electorate in Nanjangud Assembly constituency was of the view that JD(S) willingly sent Kalale Keshavamurthy to Congress to fight BJP’s V Srinivas Prasad in the upcoming byelection. “The sinking Congress is desperately trying to hold on to whatever it gets. It appears that JD(S), too, wants it (alliance),” he stated.