Mandya: Congress suspends 7 block presidents for anti-party activities

Mandya: The Congress on Wednesday suspended seven of its block presidents in Mandya district for indulging in anti-party activities and for not backing the candidature of Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is contesting from the Mandya Lok Sabha seat.

Speaking to media persons here Congress party official Ravi Gowda said that KPCC president suspended the leaders as they defied high command’s diktat (order) and refused to campaign for Nikhil. “An explanation has been sought from them for their dissidence,” he added.

“The block presidents were warned against anti-party activities on receiving complaints from JD-S leaders that they were campaigning for the rival (Sumalatha) and seeking votes in the name of Ambareesh,” said Gowda.

The seven leaders – H Appaji, Mandya Rural; AS Rajeev, Bharati Nagar; Putraramu, Malavalli Rural; KJ Devaraju, Malavalli City; M Prasanna, Nagamangala; KR Ravindra Babu, KR Pet and SB Prakash, Melkote – are reportedly among those Congress workers who are supporting Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh.

The suspension order came after repeated warnings from Congress leaders asking party workers to follow the coalition dharma. The party hopes that this might act as a lesson for other cadres who are seeking votes for Sumalatha openly and campaigning for her on the sly.

Sumalatha, wife of late M.H. Ambareesh, 66 has found support from the BJP, which has not fielded a candidate in Mandya.

Polling will be held in two phases for 14 seats each on April 18 in the central and southern regions and on April 23 in the coastal and northern regions.