Rift in Chickballapur and Kolar Congress units spills into the open

Internal differences within the Chickballapur and Kolar Congress leadership appear to be coming out in the open. Over the last four days, social media posts by Chickballapur Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar on 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 in political circles and embarrassed the party.

What began 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 temples where Dalits were allegedly barred from entry. He also urged Dalits in the taluk to bring such instances to his notice.

M.C. Sudhakar

Over the last two days, the issue has meandered into allegations against a “powerful” leader from Chintamani belonging to a “reputed family” in Bengaluru. Party sources indicated that Mr. Eshwar’s remarks were allegedly aimed at former Minister and Chintamani Congress MLA M.C. Sudhakar, with whom he is learnt to share a frosty relationship. In another post, he claimed that the Sri Rama temple at S. Raghuttahalli had remained shut for three years following a visit by Social Welfare Minister K.H. Muniyappa, a senior Dalit leader in the State.