A chaotic scene unfolded at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bengaluru when Youth Congress workers from rival factions engaged in heated arguments and physical scuffles. The clash, involving supporters of different leaders, occurred ahead of a planned protest against alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test.
Tensions escalated between backers of Karnataka Youth Congress president H. S. Manjunath Gowda and former vice-president Deepika Reddy during the preparatory meeting for the protest. The situation spiraled out of control, prompting senior leaders to intervene and restore order inside the party office.
The unrest stemmed from the recent removal of Deepika Reddy from her position as vice-president by the National Youth Congress leadership. This decision led to strong resentment among her supporters, triggering a verbal confrontation that quickly turned physical. Despite efforts to pacify the groups, the clash highlighted internal divisions within the Karnataka Youth Congress unit.
The controversy deepened as Deepika Reddy accused Youth Congress president H. S. Manjunath Gowda of orchestrating her removal for personal reasons rather than disciplinary grounds. She criticized the move as a vindictive act and vowed to continue her loyalty to the party and its leadership. Reddy also alleged a systematic targeting of women leaders within the Youth Congress under Gowda’s leadership.
