The rift in Chickballapur and the Kolar Congress units is spilling into the open

Internal differences in the leadership of Chickballapur and Kolar Congress seem to be coming to light. Over the past four days, Chickballapur Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar’s social media posts about the killing of seven Dalits in Kambalapalli village in Chintamani (then part of undivided Kolar district) in 2000 and the alleged ban on Dalits entering temples in Chintamani have raised eyebrows and embarrassment in political circles.

What started as a post on X by Mr. Eshwar on October 1 highlighting the alleged ban on Dalits entering temples in Chintamani was followed by another post on October 2 listing the temples where Dalits were allegedly barred from entering. He also urged Dalits in the taluk to bring such cases to his notice.

MC Sudhakar

Over the past two days, the matter has turned into allegations against a “powerful” leader from Chintamani, who belongs to a “reputable family” in Bengaluru. Party sources said Mr Eshwar’s remarks were allegedly directed at former minister and Congress Chintamani MLA MC Sudhakar, with whom he learned to share a frosty relationship. In another post, he alleged that the Sri Rama temple at S. Raghuttahalli remained closed for three years after the visit of Social Welfare Minister KH Muniyappa, a senior Dalit leader in the state.

In a post on Sunday, Mr. Eshwar said, “A court has awarded life imprisonment to 98 persons accused of injuring more than 30 people after their houses were set on fire in Marukumbi village of Koppal district in 2014. But it is strange that those facing charges of burning seven persons in Kambalapalli have changed course after witnesses in the case were acquitted. translator changed statement Who is the big Chintamani leader?In another post, he threatened to release documents related to businesses allegedly owned by leaders in Hyderabad and Mumbai.

On Sunday, Dr. Sudhakar, who met Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, is learned to have expressed his displeasure over repeated attacks by his party colleague, who does not represent the Chintamani constituency.

Meanwhile, a group of Congress legislators from Kolar district, including HY Nanjegowda, KY Narayanswamy, SN Subbareddy and Kothanur Manjunath, also met the Chief Minister on Sunday to discuss the internal differences within the Kolar Congress unit, allegedly due to the intervention of KGF MLA Roopa Shashidhar, daughter of Social Welfare Minister KH Muniyappa. The posting of the CEO of the District Cooperative Central Bank (DCC Bank) and Ms. Roop’s alleged interest in controlling its affairs have irked lawmakers. On his differences with Ms. Roopa, Mr. Narayanswamy said, “During an informal conversation with Mr. Subbareddy in the Assembly, she came and threatened me. We did not talk about her.” He also said that they met the Chief Minister after learning that the legislator was trying to remove the CEO of DCC Bank and that they tried to dissuade him from doing so.

Published – 04 Oct 2026 21:47 IST