With the start of the countdown to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress is rattled as a series of high profile leaders have refused to contest the national elections and to stay within their state. In addition to these, there are hoards of leaders who are simply leaving the party, eliminating all association. The latest person added to this ever growing list is Krishank Manne, general secretary, official spokesperson and vice chairman of the Congress party, citing ‘humiliation’ and disappointment for “not recognizing his work.”

While writing an open letter to the president of the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, Krishank Manne stated that he is leaving the party because of unethical politics involving payment to get seats. Manne had joint the Congress party after the formation of Telangana state, with the hope of having a crucial role in the party. He had great ideas which were not paid any attention to and he was sidelined because he doesn’t have any familial connections within the party.

It was announced in 2014 that an Assembly ticket from Secunderabad Cantonment would be given to Manne. However, within 2 days, the party replaced the candidate, even though he had worked hard in the constituency. Nevertheless, Manne continued with his responsibilities by serving the party. He was even jailed during his struggle for justice for Rohith Vermula. The leadership never encouraged him and instead Uttam Kumar Reddy removed him as the official spokesperson when Manne didn’t give him bio data, even though he was the most active spokesperson of Congress ideology.

He stated, “Telangana Congress is a limited party running between few individuals, and money is the priority. Hoping that I would at least get a ticket for Lok Sabha I have applied for Peddapalli but was asked by TPCC President that how many crores I would spend. ”In furtherance to this statement, it was announced that Mr. Chandrashekar, who was contesting as an opposite candidate in 2018 joined the party and within 48 hours is gifted the Congress ticket for Peddapalli.

Manne is a Dalit youngster who quit his assistant professor job to work for Congress full time. This is because he viewed Rahul Gandhi as a “godfather”, trusting his speeches and promises but nothing seems to be in practice. He stated, “There is no serious commitment over Telangana nor conviction over weaker sections, state leadership is just faking desperately to be in power and that is the reason people have no belief towards Congress leasers in telangana. Youngsters are never allowed to share space on the dias of Congress meetings. Dalit constituencies are decided by feudal netas who wish to demand tickets for their chamchas and not potential candidates”.

Manne has announced that he will join the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) in presence of its working president KT Rama Rao. He stated, “TRS gave youngsters abundant chances making Parliamentarian, legislators, chairmen of nominated posts and mayor”.

Rahul gandhi has made tall promises of being a youth leader but refuses to give the youth in his party any chances. Posts are given by choice instead of merit thus losing quality of the posts. Manne is relieved that, “he doesn’t have to further defend Telagana Congress for wrong reasons”. Moreover, he is happy that he doesn’t have to “perish in the selfish politics of Telangana Congress”.

GoodBye @RahulGandhi ji . We have joined you with great belief but realise that your own @INCTelangana leadership doesn't believe in your ideas. They are highly feudal, anti dalit & anti youngsters. They hav no respect for workers commitment but greed only for money and power. pic.twitter.com/AkgMLfXbZQ — krishank (@krishank9) March 17, 2019

Believing Rahul Gandhi’s speeches and false promises, Manne’s disappointment in the party leadership is inevitable. Neither is Rahul Gandhi a patron of youth leadership nor is he treating the Dalit leaders with respect. The enlightening letter right before the elections has revealed Rahul Gandhi for what he is. Not only has this unprecedented move encouraged others suffering within the Congress to speak up, but has also made the youth and voters aware of the issues behind the scene.

Earlier, Karnataka Deputy CMG Parameshwara had accused the Congress of being anti-Dalit. He alleged that he was denied the post of Chief Minister thrice because he belonged to the Dalit community.

G Parameshwara said, “PK Basavalingappa and KH Ranganath missed the CM post. Mallikarjun Kharge also couldn’t become CM. I missed it thrice. Somehow, I was made the Deputy CM.” The Karnataka Deputy CM further alleged, “Dalits are being discriminated at the government level too. Even though reservation is facilitated, there has been injustice in promotions.” This must have left the Congress red-faced as it has exposed the allegedly anti-Dalit bias of the grand old party.