Youth Congress leaders, workers fight amongst themselves at KPCC office

A meeting convened by the Karnataka Youth Congress at the KPCC office in Bengaluru on May 18 to plan for a protest against the NEET examination fiasco turned into a battle ground between two factions, leading to a heated altercation and jostling, which almost came close to fist fight. It many be noted that the Congress is planning a protest against NEET on May 21.

A section of Youth Congress workers and leaders — upset over the recent suspension of 17 people — were incensed at the action taken by State Youth Congress president H.N. Manjunath Gowda, condemning his “dictatorial” attitude. Congress sources said that the party leaders and workers were suspended since they had not attended a few meetings that had been convened earlier. Among the suspended included State Youth Congress vice-president Deepika Reddy.

It is learnt that the issue came up when some of the suspended leaders and workers questioned the action taken against them and sought a response from State Youth Congress in-charge Nigam Bhandary on the basis for their suspension. The group became furious when a person from Mr. Gowda’s faction intervened, asking them what their locus standi was to ask such a question, sources said. While Ms. Reddy sought an explanation, Mr. Gowda is learnt to have told her that a separate meeting would be called to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, a verbal altercation broke out between the two groups, with suspended leaders raising slogans against Mr. Gowda. Workers pushed around chairs, jostled with each other, and when the situation came close to a fist fight, some workers intervened, sources said.

Ms. Reddy is learnt to have said that the action taken against her was a result of political vengeance and a conspiracy against women, not a disciplinary action.