Bengaluru: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed Sowmya Reddy, former Jayanagar MLA and daughter of State Minister Ramalinga Reddy, as the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee. Along with her new role, Reddy holds the positions of General Secretary of the All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) and the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

However, the appointment has sparked criticism within the party. KPCC General Secretary Kavitha Reddy expressed her dissatisfaction, calling it a "grave injustice" to the many independent women leaders who have been working for the party based on merit and were contenders for the post for the past two years.

As an Ambedkarite, Reddy said that independent women leaders who have risen through hard work and competency are often overlooked due to caste considerations. She stressed that social justice and gender justice should not just be part of the discourse but should be implemented in action to strengthen both the party and the nation.

Reddy also voiced concerns about the impact of consistently giving opportunities to ministers' children, stating that it demotivates party workers and diminishes the aspiration to enter politics. She urged for the nurturing of independent and strong women leadership, highlighting its importance for both the party and the country.

Despite her criticism, Reddy affirmed her respect for the party's decision and commitment to continue working as a true Congresswoman and believer in Rahul Gandhi's fearless politics, while making her views known.

In addition to Reddy's appointment, the AICC also announced new presidents for the Mahila Congress in other states, including Chuku Nachi for Andhra Pradesh and Nandita Hooda for Chandigarh.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Four passengers who arrived from Bangkok at Kempegowda International Airport here were arrested with hydroponic ganja valued at over Rs 21.5 crore in two separate cases, officials said on Saturday.

They were intercepted at Terminal 2 of the airport on May 1, they added.

In the first case, Bengaluru Customs said in a post on ‘X’ that three passengers arriving from Bangkok were intercepted, and 52.68 kg of hydroponic ganja, valued at Rs 18.43 crore, was seized from their baggage.

In a separate case on the same day, another passenger arriving from Bangkok was intercepted, and 9 kg of hydroponic ganja, valued at Rs 3.15 crore, was seized from his baggage.

In both cases, the accused, whose identities have not been disclosed, were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, officials added.