Resignation Bombshell: Radhika Khera Quits Amid Party Criticism
<p>Amidst the impending third phase of Lok Sabha on May 7, Radhika Khera, a notable figure within the Congress, tendered her resignation from the esteemed party on May 5, following a widely circulated video where she asserted being ‘disrespected’ by the party hierarchy. In her formal resignation addressed to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Khera expressed […]</p>
Resignation Bombshell: Radhika Khera Quits Amid Party Criticism
Amidst the impending third phase of Lok Sabha on May 7, Radhika Khera, a notable figure within the Congress, tendered her resignation from the esteemed party on May 5, following a widely circulated video where she asserted being ‘disrespected’ by the party hierarchy.
In her formal resignation addressed to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Khera expressed being subjected to severe criticism from within the party due to her visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to pay homage to the deity Ram Lalla. “For adherents of Hinduism, the reverence towards Lord Ram is profound, yet certain quarters exhibited dissent… Within the party that has been the cornerstone of my allegiance for over 22 years, I encountered similar opposition as my pilgrimage to Lord Ram’s abode couldn’t be deterred,” articulated Radhika Khera.
She lamented the absence of redress within the Congress party. Post her resignation, Radhika Kheda promptly altered her social media profile picture, now featuring an image captured in front of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya.
“I faced backlash owing to my visit to the Ram temple,” tweeted Radhika Kheda post-resignation. “The sanctity of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and Ayodhya Dham transcends for us all. My conscience impelled me to visit, yet the backlash I faced within the Chhattisgarh State Congress office was unforeseen. Despite my fervent appeals, justice eluded me. Henceforth, I place my trust solely in Lord Ram,” she lamented.
AICC spokesperson Radhika Khera’s resignation announcement surfaced through a video a few days ago, citing “disrespect” as the prime reason. Following the video’s proliferation, reports emerged of her altercation with a senior party functionary. Leveraging the video, the BJP accused the Congress of marginalizing female politicians. While Khera refrained from delving into specifics of her discontent at the time, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the party through several posts on the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Shri Ayodhya Dham, the sacred birthplace of Ram Lalla, holds profound significance for us all, and my pilgrimage there was an expression of deep reverence. However, the vehement opposition I encountered was unprecedented,” she elaborated. The viral video captured Khera lamenting that the ordeal she faced was unprecedented in her four-decade-long association. “I’ve been subjected to humiliation. There’s even footage capturing him berating me. I was instructed to leave. Every attempt at dialogue was met with aggression. As I’ve mentioned before, I hereby tender my resignation from the party,” she asserted.
Friction with Sushil Anand Shukla: A heated altercation ensued between Radhika Khera and the State President of Congress Media Department, Sushil Anand Shukla, a few days ago, over undisclosed matters. Subsequently, the issue escalated, with a video circulating on social media capturing Khera in tears, narrating her ordeal of being slighted within the Congress Bhawan and her resolve to resign from the party.
Intervention by Deepak Baij: The matter was escalated to Delhi, whereupon Pawan Khera was tasked with investigating the issue and recommending appropriate measures. PCC Chief Deepak Baij engaged in separate dialogues with both parties involved, subsequently compiling a report dispatched to the party’s central command. However, prior to any deliberation on the report, Radhika Khera opted to relinquish her primary membership within the Congress party.
