Mangalore: In a brazzenly communal statement, BJP MLA from Karkala Sunil Kumar went where no BJP leader seems to have gone so far: he stated that the upcoming elections will be a contest between Allah and Ram.

According to sources, Sunil Kumar made the remark while addressing a rally in Dakshina Kannada's Bantwal district. Dakshina Kannada, along with Uttar Kannada has been simmering with communal tensions since the last few months.

"Ramnath Rai (Congress MLA) always says how he came to power with the support of Muslims. The contest is not between Ramnath Rai and  Rajesh Naik (of BJP), it's between Allah and Ram" he reportedly said. He further asked the crowd "will we give vote again and again to Allah or will we give it to someone who loves Ram?".

Congress MLA Ramnath Rai has stated that he will approach the Election Commission to complain about BJP's communal rhetoric. 

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Sunil Kumar in Bantwal town police station under Sections 153(A) and 505(2) of the IPC. based on a complaint filed by local Congress president Prashanth Kulal.