The Congress party which was once led by many freedom fighters is now becoming a subject of mockery. Its own leaders constantly indulge in a political slugfest against each other. Because of the ugly spats and infighting, the party had suffered a humiliating defeat in Punjab. Similar events are taking place in Karnataka where party members engaged in a war of words.
Karnataka Congress Implosion
Congress seems to be divided into at least two factions in Karnataka, with both factions engaged in a Twitter war. The actor turned politician Divya Spandana made a string of tweets which had screen grabs and accused the office of DK Shiv Kumar of trolling, abusing and maligning her. While the supporters of DK Shiv Kumar trolled her, she garnered support from MB Patil who had served as Home Minister of Karnataka.
So the ‘office’ has circulated these messages among the congress leaders & volunteers asking them troll me. Save yourself the trouble- I’ll do it myself. @srivatsayb @DKShivakumar
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) May 11, 2022
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It all began when DK Shiv Kumar questioned the meeting between Karnataka High Education Minister CN Ashwath Narayan of BJP and Congress leader MB Patil. He accused Patil of seeking protection from being questioned in the Police Sub-Inspector recruitment scam. With this accusation, DK Shiv Kumar had, in a way, hit his own party member. These allegations were objected to by Divya Spandana which became the reason for her trouble in the party.
People across parties meet each other, go to functions, some even get married into families- I’m surprised @DKShivakumar would say this about @MBPatil who’s a staunch congressman. Shouldn’t the party be fighting elections as one unit? @INCIndia https://t.co/YOT11h35Cq
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) May 11, 2022
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She also requested Congress leader KC Venugopal to clear the air that she had not left the party and to put an end to the ongoing trolling. Later the Congress party did try to control some damage caused because of this public infighting and called a truce between MB Patil and DK Shiv Kumar.
Humble request to @kcvenugopalmp to please clarify with the media about this whenever you’re in Karnataka next. The least you can do for me Venugopal ji, so I don’t have to live with this abuse and trolling for the rest of my life.
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) May 12, 2022
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Congress’s long list of Infighting and Splits
The main reason for the humiliating defeat of Congress in the Punjab Assembly election is the infighting amongst the party members. This infighting led to the ouster of former CM Captain Amarinder Singh from the party and further transformed into a battle for power between Charanjit Singh Channi and Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Moreover, there is a long history of splits and implosions within the party. The most notable splits that the Congress party suffered are the formation of parties like TMC, YSRCP, and NCP among others.
The main reasons for the split and infighting within the Congress party are the unaccountability for loss, no place for merit, and rampant nepotism within the party. The Central High Command which used to enjoy a great amount of authority has lost its influence to strong regional Satraps of the party.
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The recent infighting is nothing new in the party and just the repetition of its past. So, with a strong BJP as the ruling power in the state, the Congress infighting will again become one of the reasons for its humiliating defeat in the Karnataka assembly elections due next year.
