Karnataka Congress seeks explanation from Rajeev Gowda amid demands to expel him for verbally abusing woman officer

The National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) says Congress leader Rajeev Gowda displayed ‘feudal arrogance’ and undermined the dignity of women officers.

Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, Shidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda, showcause notice for Rajeev Gowda, Karnataka Congress banner controversy, Chikkaballapur news. indian express

Both parties demanded strict action against Rajeev, who lost his maiden election in 2023, when he was the Congress candidate from the Shidlaghatta constituency in Chikkaballapur district.

Amid demands to expel him for allegedly verbally abusing Shidlaghatta City Municipal Council Commissioner Amrutha Gowda, the Karnataka Congress issued a showcause notice to Rajeev Gowda on Thursday for violating party discipline.

The Congress leader from Shidlaghatta was booked by the police a day earlier on the officer’s complaint, which was filed after an audio clip of Rajeev purportedly abusing her for removing an allegedly illegal banner was leaked to the media.

The incident snowballed into a major controversy, with the Opposition BJP and JD(S) attacking the state government, claiming that the law and order situation had deteriorated in the state. Both parties demanded strict action against Rajeev, who lost his maiden election in 2023, when he was the Congress candidate from the Shidlaghatta constituency in Chikkaballapur district.

The showcause notice, issued by Congress working president G C Chandrashekar, said the leaked audio clip broadcast in the media showed him “abuse” the woman officer, using expletives”, which embarrassed the party. It sought an explanation from him within a week, failing which disciplinary action would be initiated against him.
Groups such as the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) have condemned Rajeev’s conduct. In a statement, NFIW said that his threats to set fire to the municipal office and incite riots caused visible emotional distress to the officer. It urged the home department to launch legal proceedings against him, without yielding to political pressure.

The NFIW also called on the Congress to expel Rajeev, arguing that he displayed “feudal arrogance” and undermined the dignity of women officers with his conduct. “The party should not allow any political maneuvering in this matter,” it added.
On Wednesday, the Karnataka State Commission for Women wrote to the Chikkaballapur superintendent of police demanding legal action against the Congress leader.

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