Bypoll row: Section of Muslim leaders claim 'malicious campaign' against Cong over ticket choice

Bengaluru

A section of Muslim leaders, also office-bearers of the Karnataka Congress have alleged "malicious campaign" against the party by accusing it of going against the community's leadership, and termed it "deeply unfortunate and misleading." They also defended action against leaders from the community, following allegations of internal "conspiracy" against Congress' official candidate Samarth Mallikarjun in the April 9 bypoll to Davanagere South assembly segment. In a joint statement they "strongly urged" the AICC not to succumb to such "pressure tactics or political blackmail", and called for strict action against all those found guilty of "anti-party activities".

The ruling Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, as the CM's political secretary. The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders, including Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed and MLAs Rizwan Arshad and Yasir Ahmed that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South. Following the action, speculations are rife that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face action during the next cabinet reshuffle. Khan, Jabbar and Naseer Ahmed had reportedly sought ticket for a Muslim candidate from Davanagere South, though the party chose MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa's grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.

They were also said to have not actively participated in campaigning. "The recent controversy surrounding the Davangere South by-election and the malicious campaign alleging that the Congress Party is acting against Muslim leadership is deeply unfortunate and misleading," some community leaders who are office bearers of the KPCC said in a joint statement on Monday. The signatories of the statement are KPCC vice presidents Obedulla Shariff, Y Sayeed Ahmed, Mehboob Soudagar and A R Muzammil Hussain among others.

Stating that the facts clearly indicate that the situation is a result of a failure within a section of the Muslim leadership, which was unable to effectively secure a ticket for a minority candidate, they said the Congress Party was willing to consider a nominee from among several Muslim aspirants in Davanagere South. However, the leadership in question proposed only a single name-Abdul Jabbar-for consideration, while disregarding several other capable Muslim aspirants from the constituency. "Despite the party explicitly requesting a broader panel of names, no alternatives were presented and only Abdul Jabbar's name was insisted," they alleged.

It is also widely known among party workers in Davangere South that certain individuals, directly or indirectly, engaged in anti-party activities, they further alleged. "These factions contributed to division within the Muslim vote base, deliberately creating confusion and misleading Congress supporters, thereby helping other smaller parties and independent candidates, and ultimately benefiting the BJP in the election." "In this context, we fully support the decision of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to suspend Abdul Jabbar for anti-party activities," they added.

Noting that with regard to Naseer Ahmed it must be clearly stated that his removal was an administrative decision taken solely by Siddaramaiah after he refused to comply with his directives, they said, the position of Political Secretary is not a party-appointed role but one that rests entirely at the discretion of the chief minister. "Therefore, no party action has been taken in this matter. Naseer Ahmed continues to be an active Congress member and serves as a Member of the Legislative Council from the Congress Party," they said.

The statement further pointed out that in the past, Siddaramaiah has made similar decisions, including the removal of Govindraju from the post of CM's political secretary, which was accepted gracefully by him without any attempt to politicize or communalize the issue. Likewise, senior leader K N Rajanna, upon being dropped from the Cabinet, chose to accept the decision of the party leadership. "The current attempts by a small faction within the party to create unrest by involving select religious figures are deeply concerning.

These efforts appear aimed at shielding individuals involved in anti-party activities and pressuring the leadership to overlook indiscipline," they added urging the AICC not to succumb to such "pressure tactics or political blackmail." A representative body of Ulema (Islamic religious scholars) in Karnataka had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with recent political developments surrounding the Davanagere Assembly by-election and raised concerns about the minority community's representation.

Highlighting that the people of Karnataka, especially the Muslim community, have consistently shown their faith in the Congress Party, the office bearers said that their support is rooted in the party's ideology and commitment to inclusive governance-not in allegiance to any single individual or leader. Attempts to project otherwise are misleading and appear designed to create division, ultimately trying to benefit the BJP, they said. "We call upon the AICC to take the strictest possible action against all those found guilty of anti-party activities and to uphold the discipline, unity, and integrity of the organization," they added.