Kavitha Reddy speaks out against appointment of Sowmya Reddy as Karnataka Mahila Congress President
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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Annamalai left out of BJP’s candidate list for Tamil Nadu polls, party cites High Command decision
Chennai/New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, triggering political discussion after the absence of former state president K Annamalai from the roster.
Despite being widely seen as the party’s most prominent face in the state and a key figure in its southern expansion strategy, Annamalai was not fielded in the list. Senior leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore North, and Union Minister L. Murugan from Avinashi, have been nominated.
Responding to questions on the omission, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said the decision was taken by the party’s central leadership. He expressed confidence that all 27 candidates would emerge victorious in the polls.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer who joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly rose to prominence, had earlier been replaced as state chief by Nagendran. Known for his aggressive political style and grassroots outreach, he has been instrumental in amplifying the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.
In a message posted on X, Annamalai congratulated the candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to the party. He said he would campaign actively for BJP and NDA nominees, expressing confidence in the alliance securing a decisive mandate. He also criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, calling it ineffective and self-serving.
The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Seat-sharing arrangements allocate 169 constituencies to the AIADMK, 27 to the BJP, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, five to the Tamil Maanila Congress, and one seat each to the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi and Puratchi Bharatham.
Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, although actor-turned-politician Vijay is also positioning himself as a potential challenger, raising the possibility of a multi-cornered contest.
#WATCH | Chennai | Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran says, "A list of 27 candidates has been released by the BJP High Command... All the 27 candidates will surely win this time..."
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2026
On Annamalai's name not appearing in the recently released list, he says, "This is a… https://t.co/pDd0HodSAW pic.twitter.com/29gkGK9AaP
