Congress Faces Fresh Turmoil in Karnataka Over Home Minister’s ABVP Link
Bengaluru is buzzing with political drama again as Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara gets caught in a controversy for attending an event linked to ABVP, the student wing of RSS and BJP. This comes right after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s own RSS anthem gaffe in the assembly, stirring up more infighting in the ruling Congress party.
The latest buzz started when Parameshwara showed up at a program in Tiptur town, Tumakuru district, on Wednesday. The event celebrated the 500th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Rani Abbakka, with ABVP organizing a grand ‘Rath Yatra’ to honor her sacrifices. A viral video captured Parameshwara paying floral tributes to Rani Abbakka’s statue, right under an ABVP banner. For the uninitiated, ABVP stands for Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student outfit closely tied to the RSS and BJP – groups that Congress often locks horns with.
Facing backlash from within the party, Parameshwara quickly hit back at reporters in Bengaluru. "I didn’t join any ABVP program," he said firmly. "I was traveling with local MLA K. Shadakshari when the Rani Abbakka procession passed by. They invited me to pay respects, so I stopped my car and did just that. That’s all there was to it."
He didn’t hold back on the critics either. "If rivals want to stir up trouble, let them. No one can doubt my loyalty to Congress – I’ve been a true Congressman for decades and will remain one till the end. This is just propaganda from political enemies inside and outside the party. People know my 35-year track record; I don’t need to prove anything."
Parameshwara even hinted at insiders fueling the fire. "These cheap tricks won’t fool anyone. Everyone in Karnataka knows where I stand," he added, pointing fingers at those trying to undermine him.
This isn’t the first headache for Congress in Karnataka. Just days ago, Shivakumar sparked outrage by singing the RSS anthem in the state assembly to mock BJP leaders. The move backfired big time, leading to a swift apology from him. He also clarified that Chamundi Hills isn’t just for Hindus, trying to calm the storm.
The party’s troubles run deeper. Tensions boiled over when the Congress high command sacked senior leader KN Rajanna, a key ally of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, from the cabinet. Many see this as a win for Shivakumar’s camp, since Rajanna had been pushing hard against him – even demanding more deputy CM posts and Shivakumar’s removal as state party president.
Parameshwara, the most senior Congress leader in Karnataka and a prominent Dalit face, has his own supporters. Rajanna himself had backed him as a potential chief minister if there’s a leadership change. With suspicions of internal sabotage in this ABVP controversy, the Congress infighting in Karnataka looks set to heat up even more. Will this fracture the ruling party further? Only time will tell as the political rivals gear up for the next round.
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