Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge publicly reprimanded party workers during the ‘Sankalpa Samavesha’ event in Bengaluru after repeated chants in support of Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar disrupted the programme.
Visibly annoyed by the slogan shouting, Kharge reminded the gathering that the event was organized for the Congress party and not for promoting any individual leader. He criticized the workers responsible for the chants and emphasized that the party does not encourage personality cults.
Kharge Calls for Party Discipline
As chants of “DK, DK” echoed through the venue, Kharge stopped his speech and addressed the crowd directly.
He stated that the programme belonged to the Congress party and questioned the purpose of disrupting a collective event with slogans supporting a single leader. Stressing the importance of discipline, Kharge said the party’s focus should remain on its ideology and organization rather than individual personalities.
The Congress chief also pointed out that many leaders have gained recognition and opportunities through the party, highlighting that the organization has contributed significantly to their political growth.
Warning of Action Against Workers
Kharge warned that strict disciplinary action could be taken against those involved in the disruption. He said video footage from the event would be reviewed to identify the workers responsible for raising the slogans.
According to him, maintaining discipline is essential for the party’s functioning, and any behavior that distracts from official programmes would not be tolerated.
BJP Reacts to the Incident
The episode quickly drew reactions from political opponents. BJP leader Gourav Vallabh claimed the incident reflected internal power struggles within the Congress.
He alleged that differences among senior Congress leaders were becoming increasingly visible and mocked the party’s leadership structure while commenting on the public exchange.
Event Sparks Political Discussion
The incident has generated significant political debate, with observers viewing it as a reflection of ongoing discussions around leadership dynamics within the Karnataka Congress unit.
While Congress leaders continue to focus on party programmes and organizational strengthening, Kharge’s remarks highlighted the leadership’s emphasis on unity, discipline, and collective identity over individual-centric politics.