Muniyappa stands by 7 suspended Congress workers

A day after seven leaders from Kolar, who were considered loyal to him, were suspended for speaking against the leadership, veteran Congress leader K H Muniyappa on Saturday stood by his supporters and called them 'disciplined soldiers' of the party.

The former Union Minister said he has spoken to Pradesh Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao to have a re look at the decision and pointed out that suspensions have been done without even serving notice.

"...one person who came to Congress from JD(S), L Khaleel, has mentioned a few things (while demanding action against those responsible for Congress' loss in Lok Sabha polls).. rest are all disciplined soldiers of the party. he (Khaleel) is new to the party,," Muniyappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the party was big and speaking against its President or AICC was an act of indiscipline.

"I have told Dinesh Gundu Rao to get a detailed report from the district congress president and take action against those who have really spoken against the leadership. It was not right to take action against others.

Final decision is left to the KPCC President," he said adding that the party workers were suspended without even a notice being served to them.

The state Congress had on Friday suspended Kolar city block Congress committee president Prasad Babu, former KPCC secretary Kumar, among others, for 'anti-party' activities, sayin they had levelled 'baseless allegations' against AICC General Secretary and KPCC President to the media.

Muniyappa, a seven time MP from Kolar, had lost 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

He and several senior party workers have blamed leaders within the party for the defeat in the polls.

At a recent party meeting, Muniyappa and senior leader B K Hariprasad had hit out at CLP Leader Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao for their "unilateral style of functioning" and over accountability not being fixed for the party's debacle in the polls.