Congress MLA Accuses Colleague Roopakala of Intimidation Inside Karnataka Assembly

Simmering factional tensions within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka spilled into public view on the floor of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru on Friday, September 25, 2026. Bangarpet legislator SN Narayanaswamy leveled serious accusations against his own party colleague and KGF MLA Roopakala Shashidhar (Sasikiran), alleging that she physically approached his desk, slammed the bench in front of him, and delivered an open threat during active legislative proceedings. The confrontation unfolded in the backdrop of tense house discussions regarding the tendered resignation of party colleague Yashwantraygouda Patil—who resigned in protest over the exclusion of Indi and Chadchan taluks from the state’s official drought-relief notification—instantly triggering concerns over party discipline and personal safety.Sudden Floor Altercation: Table-Banging and Alleged Threats Spark TurmoilRecounting the incident to reporters outside the chamber, Narayanaswamy stated that he was seated quietly conferring with Bagepalli legislator SN Subbareddy when the confrontation occurred. According to Narayanaswamy, Roopakala, who was seated directly behind them, abruptly walked to his desk without any verbal provocation from their side. "Subbareddy and I were speaking to each other and had not even taken her name when she suddenly approached, banged hard on the table in front of me, pointed her finger, and warned that she would see to me," Narayanaswamy claimed. Disturbed by the intensity of the confrontation in full view of the assembly benches, the Bangarpet legislator voiced grave apprehensions regarding his physical safety, asserting that such aggressive hostility on the floor of the legislature crossed democratic decorum.Deep-Rooted Kolar Factionalism: Rivalry with Minister KH Muniyappa SurfacesThe dramatic clash brings to the fore an entrenched, long-standing factional feud dominating Kolar district politics. Roopakala Shashidhar is the daughter of heavyweight state leader and Karnataka Social Welfare Minister KH Muniyappa, against whom Narayanaswamy and several regional legislators have maintained persistent political resistance over seat allocations and district clout. Underlining his vulnerability, Narayanaswamy remarked: "My father was not an MLA, nor do I come from an influential political dynasty. We don't possess the high status to talk about her. Her father, KH Muniyappa, has immense political influence and has previously caused us serious political damage, and now his daughter is issuing warnings inside the House. I am genuinely scared." The incident highlights widening cracks in the district's Congress leadership as the party brass attempts to contain the public fallout.