Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge reprimanded party workers in Bengaluru after they chanted slogans for Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar [1].
The incident highlights internal tensions between party discipline and the rise of personality-driven politics within the organization's regional strongholds. By intervening, Kharge sought to reinforce the primacy of the party structure over individual leaders.
Kharge lost his temper when workers began chanting "DK" slogans during the gathering [1]. He said to the crowd, "you useless fellows" [2]. The leader said that the event was intended for the collective organization rather than a specific person [1].
"This is not an individual's programme, it is a party programme," Kharge said [1].
He questioned the utility of the disruption, asking the workers, "Will the entire country be affected if you shout here?" [2]. Kharge said that such behavior would not be tolerated and threatened them with disciplinary action [1].
The disruption occurred during a party programme in Bengaluru, Karnataka [1]. Kharge's reaction was a direct response to the workers' efforts to elevate Shivakumar through chants that interrupted the scheduled proceedings [1].
“"This is not an individual's programme, it is a party programme."”
This confrontation reflects a broader struggle within the Congress party to balance the influence of powerful regional leaders with centralized party authority. Kharge's public rebuke serves as a signal that the party leadership intends to curb individual personality cults that may overshadow official party agendas or disrupt organizational discipline.
