<p>Kolar: Congress MLAs S N Narayanaswamy (Bangarpet) and Roopakala Shashidhar (KGF) have reportedly urged AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala to replace Byrathi Suresh as Kolar district in-charge minister.</p><p>Both MLAs, long dissatisfied with Suresh’s role, raised concerns about factionalism and internal group politics plaguing the Kolar Congress during their meeting with Surjewala. They alleged sidelining of loyal party workers, ministerial discrimination, and neglect of constituency issues. They also accused some ministers of fostering a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” culture, worsening the situation.</p><p>After the meeting, Narayanaswamy told reporters in Bengaluru that he has expressed concerns over the minister’s functioning. “Some Kolar Congress MLAs exclude us and engage in groupism. The delimitation of the Kolar Milk Union (Komul) constituency was done arbitrarily without consulting me, despite it falling under my Bangarpet segment,” he said.</p><p>Roopakala Shashidhar said she presented various issues of the district leaders before Surjewala. “I do not say that MLAs do not have problems, but they must get them resolved on appropriate platforms,” she opined.</p><p>“Why shouldn’t anyone else grow ahead of them? Some leaders are spreading envy and hatred. True leaders are those who build and nurture cooperative institutions. It is not the trait of leaders to destroy established organisations and then flaunt arrogance," she said.</p><p>Besides Byrathi Suresh, complaints were also filed against Malur MLA K Y Nanjegowda and former speaker of the Assembly K R Ramesh Kumar. The MLAs urged the high command to remove Suresh and resolve the factional crisis. Surjewala reportedly sought a detailed briefing on Kolar’s issues beyond state politics.</p><p><strong>Nanjegowda meets Surjewala</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, Nanjegowda too submitted a complaint against Narayanaswamy, accusing him of anti-party activities during the recent Komul elections.</p><p>Speaking to the media, Nanjegowda said, “I don’t know which party Narayanaswamy belonged to earlier. My grandfather was a Congressman, and I have my roots in the Congress through Mandal Panchayat work.”</p><p>“I have not spoken ill of anyone. Narayanaswamy, who speaks disrespectfully, may have filed a complaint. During the Komul elections, he supported candidates against the Congress nominee and engaged in anti-party activities. He even came to my constituency and met with my opponents. The party should investigate who is going against it," he said.</p><p>He, however, defended Byrathi Suresh, praising his work as a district in-charge.</p><p><strong>‘Relationships seem to outweigh politics’</strong></p><p>Congress MLA S N Narayanaswamy stated, “Ministers Byrathi Suresh and M C Sudhakar are close friends, and the turmoil in Kolar politics began when Sudhakar entered the scene. Nowadays, relationships seem to outweigh politics.</p><p>“Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Sudhakar, and MLA Nanjegowda are all blood relatives. Byrathi Suresh is showing discrimination. I have conveyed my concerns about all this and the minister’s lack of cooperation to Surjewala,” he said</p><p>After his meeting with Surjewala, Narayanaswamy added, “Why should I be afraid of Malur MLA Nanjegowda? Did I involve in any scam in Kochimul? Nanjegowda switched from JD(S) to Congress, but I was born a Congress man.”</p><p><strong>'No complaints'</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, Kolar MLA Kothur Manjunath who met Surjewala as well, stating, “All ministers have supported me; I have no complaints.”</p><p>Despite years of factionalism in Kolar Congress, the high command has largely ignored it. However, recent tensions over DCC Bank and KOMUL elections have escalated and could affect the upcoming urban local body, taluk, and zilla panchayat polls.</p><p>There is a growing speculation that Byrathi Suresh may be replaced as the district in-charge minister, given his inability to quell the crisis.</p><p>Even farmer groups criticised Suresh for visiting the district only once every two months, and have submitted formal petitions to that effect. They demanded a minister who is more accessible in the district.</p>
<p>Kolar: Congress MLAs S N Narayanaswamy (Bangarpet) and Roopakala Shashidhar (KGF) have reportedly urged AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala to replace Byrathi Suresh as Kolar district in-charge minister.</p><p>Both MLAs, long dissatisfied with Suresh’s role, raised concerns about factionalism and internal group politics plaguing the Kolar Congress during their meeting with Surjewala. They alleged sidelining of loyal party workers, ministerial discrimination, and neglect of constituency issues. They also accused some ministers of fostering a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” culture, worsening the situation.</p><p>After the meeting, Narayanaswamy told reporters in Bengaluru that he has expressed concerns over the minister’s functioning. “Some Kolar Congress MLAs exclude us and engage in groupism. The delimitation of the Kolar Milk Union (Komul) constituency was done arbitrarily without consulting me, despite it falling under my Bangarpet segment,” he said.</p><p>Roopakala Shashidhar said she presented various issues of the district leaders before Surjewala. “I do not say that MLAs do not have problems, but they must get them resolved on appropriate platforms,” she opined.</p><p>“Why shouldn’t anyone else grow ahead of them? Some leaders are spreading envy and hatred. True leaders are those who build and nurture cooperative institutions. It is not the trait of leaders to destroy established organisations and then flaunt arrogance," she said.</p><p>Besides Byrathi Suresh, complaints were also filed against Malur MLA K Y Nanjegowda and former speaker of the Assembly K R Ramesh Kumar. The MLAs urged the high command to remove Suresh and resolve the factional crisis. Surjewala reportedly sought a detailed briefing on Kolar’s issues beyond state politics.</p><p><strong>Nanjegowda meets Surjewala</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, Nanjegowda too submitted a complaint against Narayanaswamy, accusing him of anti-party activities during the recent Komul elections.</p><p>Speaking to the media, Nanjegowda said, “I don’t know which party Narayanaswamy belonged to earlier. My grandfather was a Congressman, and I have my roots in the Congress through Mandal Panchayat work.”</p><p>“I have not spoken ill of anyone. Narayanaswamy, who speaks disrespectfully, may have filed a complaint. During the Komul elections, he supported candidates against the Congress nominee and engaged in anti-party activities. He even came to my constituency and met with my opponents. The party should investigate who is going against it," he said.</p><p>He, however, defended Byrathi Suresh, praising his work as a district in-charge.</p><p><strong>‘Relationships seem to outweigh politics’</strong></p><p>Congress MLA S N Narayanaswamy stated, “Ministers Byrathi Suresh and M C Sudhakar are close friends, and the turmoil in Kolar politics began when Sudhakar entered the scene. Nowadays, relationships seem to outweigh politics.</p><p>“Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Sudhakar, and MLA Nanjegowda are all blood relatives. Byrathi Suresh is showing discrimination. I have conveyed my concerns about all this and the minister’s lack of cooperation to Surjewala,” he said</p><p>After his meeting with Surjewala, Narayanaswamy added, “Why should I be afraid of Malur MLA Nanjegowda? Did I involve in any scam in Kochimul? Nanjegowda switched from JD(S) to Congress, but I was born a Congress man.”</p><p><strong>'No complaints'</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, Kolar MLA Kothur Manjunath who met Surjewala as well, stating, “All ministers have supported me; I have no complaints.”</p><p>Despite years of factionalism in Kolar Congress, the high command has largely ignored it. However, recent tensions over DCC Bank and KOMUL elections have escalated and could affect the upcoming urban local body, taluk, and zilla panchayat polls.</p><p>There is a growing speculation that Byrathi Suresh may be replaced as the district in-charge minister, given his inability to quell the crisis.</p><p>Even farmer groups criticised Suresh for visiting the district only once every two months, and have submitted formal petitions to that effect. They demanded a minister who is more accessible in the district.</p>