Bengaluru: In a significant development within Karnataka’s Congress party, the State Congress Disciplinary Committee has suspended spokesperson Kavita Reddy over her public expression of displeasure regarding internal matters of the party. Reddy had recently voiced her concerns about key issues, including the appointment of Soumya Reddy to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Women’s unit and the allocation of Lok Sabha tickets to children of senior Congress ministers.
The disciplinary committee, led by President Rehman Khan, issued an official notice announcing her suspension. The order stated, “Kavitha Reddy has been suspended, and all the posts held by her in the party have been revoked.” The decision came after Reddy openly criticized party leadership and internal processes.
Reacting to the suspension, Kavita Reddy did not hold back, expressing her frustrations with the current Congress leadership under State President DK Shivakumar. “Since DK Shivakumar became the Congress president, I have not received any justice in the party,” she said. Reddy further explained that she had submitted a detailed 32-page clarification in response to the disciplinary notice but claimed she had not received any response.
According to Reddy, the suspension stems from her stance on two key issues: her support for Bhavya Singh, a Scheduled Tribe girl, and her opposition to Ramalinga Reddy, the father of Soumya Reddy. “The notice was issued because I stood for Bhavya Singh and opposed Ramalinga Reddy. These are the main reasons behind my suspension,” she said.
Reddy has been vocal in her opposition to Soumya Reddy’s rapid rise within the party, claiming that her appointment as the President of the KPCC Women’s wing is an example of family politics at play. She questioned the process and rationale behind Soumya’s promotion, alleging that the position was handed to her solely because of her father’s influence. “Ramalinga Reddy used his power to make his daughter president. DK Shivakumar, as the party president, should have stood by us, but he chose to side with Ramalinga Reddy,” she lamented.
Kavita Reddy expressed her frustration, noting that several deserving women activists had been passed over in favor of Soumya Reddy. “There were five women activists, including Kamalakshi Rajanna and Veena Kashappanavar, who could have been appointed. That would have been social justice. Instead, they gave it to someone who hasn’t worked for the party. Soumya Reddy hasn’t even participated in a single discussion and is now made the General Secretary and President of the Mahila Congress. What is the standard they are following?” she asked.
Reddy’s critique of Congress leadership continued, as she called for transparency in decision-making. She argued that if the appointment was for political reasons or financial considerations, the party should have communicated that openly. “As a party worker, I have the right to ask questions. The party belongs to all of us. If the leadership had informed us that the decision was made for political reasons or to please Soumya’s father, I would have understood it as a politician,” she added, clearly frustrated with the lack of communication.
Despite her suspension, Kavita Reddy remains determined to fight for what she perceives as justice within the Congress party. “What will be my next step if I don’t get justice? My fight continues. I will keep speaking out against injustice, especially the exploitation of women in the party,” she stated.
Kavita Reddy, who has been with the Congress for decades, expressed concern about the treatment of ordinary party workers, suggesting that if someone of her standing is sidelined, grassroots workers will struggle even more to find a place within the party structure. “People know my commitment to Congress ideology. If I am being harassed this much, what chance do ordinary workers have in this party?” she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.
In closing, Kavita Reddy raised questions about the selective disciplinary action taken against her. She pointed out that other ministers and legislators have openly spoken against the party leadership but have faced no such consequences. “Why disciplinary action only against me? Several ministers and legislators have made statements against the party and the president. Why haven’t they been suspended? Is it because I am a woman? Because I don’t have the same political backing?” she asked, leaving the press conference with these pointed questions.
Kavita Reddy’s suspension has stirred debates within the Karnataka Congress, with many questioning whether internal politics and family influence are taking precedence over merit and justice within the party. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Congress leadership will address these growing concerns within its ranks.
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