Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lost his temper at a party event in Bengaluru on Sunday after workers began chanting in support of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Kharge, visibly irritated, called the chanting workers 'useless fellows' and demanded they stop.
Incident at the Event
The incident occurred during a public meeting in Bengaluru where Kharge was addressing party workers. As he spoke, a section of the crowd began raising slogans praising Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief. Kharge paused his speech and snapped at the workers, saying, 'These are useless fellows. Stop this nonsense.' He then continued his address, urging discipline among the ranks.
Context and Reactions
The chants for Shivakumar come amid ongoing speculation about leadership dynamics within the Karnataka Congress. Shivakumar is seen as a key contender for the chief minister's post, though the party has publicly backed Siddaramaiah as the CM face for the upcoming elections. Kharge's outburst highlights internal tensions and the need for unity. Party insiders said the chants were seen as a breach of protocol, as Kharge is the national party president and the event was meant to showcase collective leadership.
According to sources, Kharge later calmed down and emphasized the importance of focusing on the party's agenda rather than individual personalities. The Congress has been working to project a united front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and such incidents could be damaging.
Neither Shivakumar nor his supporters have commented on the incident. The party is expected to issue a statement urging workers to maintain decorum at public events.
