Congress threatens expulsion to its workers supporting Sumalatha

Karnataka Congress has warned its workers of expulsion if they support Mandya Lok Sabha constituency's independent candidate Sumalatha. Party has also issued a diktat to take strong disciplinary action against party workers going against coalition candidates in the Lok Sabha polls.

Bengaluru: Following reports that several Congress workers and leaders in Mandya Lok Sabha Constituency have openly come in the support of the independent candidate Sumalatha party on Thursday warned them of expulsion if they do not desist from their stand.

KPCC leadership called an emergency meeting to discuss the matter in the evening and later speaking to media it's leaders stated "Those who will support Sumalatha will be thrown out of the party."

It's significant that several Congress workers were seen waving party flags at election campaign meetings of Sumlatha. Videos and Photographs of the same had gone viral in social media forcing the KPCC to pitch in to plug the rot.

Wary of dissidence in the ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka, Congress leaders also warned its workers of 'strong disciplinary action' if they work against the coalition candidates in the Lok Sabha polls.

With the transfer of votes between Congress and JD(S) crucial for them to defeat the BJP, there is a worry in both parties that dissidence may impact their electoral prospects.

Both parties that had fought bitterly against each other in May 2018 assembly polls, joined hands to form an alliance as the election threw up a hung verdict.

Congress-JD(S) alliance is facing trouble in several key Lok Sabha constituencies, particularly in old Mysuru region, as Congress workers are unhappy over the seat-sharing arrangement between the alliance partners. Situation was serious to the extent that Congress had to issue a formal warning of disciplinary action to its workers if they support non-coalition candidates.