Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka), Apr 12: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Sunday that action is being taken against some Congress leaders based on an AICC secretary’s report, following allegations of an internal “conspiracy” to defeat the party candidate in the Davanagere South by-election.
He also indicated that his political secretary may resign in connection with this.
The chief minister’s remarks came on a day when Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar accepted the resignation of party Minority Department chairman K Abdul Jabbar. Jabbar announced his resignation on Saturday, a day after a group of Congress Muslim leaders accused senior members of the party of an “internal conspiracy.”
Jabbar, an MLC, had aspired for the Congress ticket from the Davanagere South Assembly segment, but the ticket went to Samarth Mallikarjun, grandson of late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Shivashankarappa’s death necessitated the by-election on April 9.
“The high command appointed an AICC secretary in charge of the Davanagere South bypoll, and action is being taken based on his report,” Siddaramaiah said, responding to a question about resignations within the party even before the results.
When asked about speculation that MLC Naseer Ahmed may resign as political secretary to the chief minister, he said, “Yes, he has not yet submitted his resignation. I think he may.”
On whether the Congress was accepting defeat in Davanagere South even before the results, the CM said, “Where have we accepted defeat? If action is being taken, does that mean we will lose? What Saleem Ahmed and others have said is that our own leaders were involved in anti-party activities.”
“They have not said we will lose because of anti-party activities. Despite anti-party activities, we will win,” he added.
A rift surfaced within the Karnataka Congress on Friday, a day after bypolls to two Assembly constituencies, as a group of Muslim leaders alleged an “internal conspiracy” by some senior leaders to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South, where the minority community has a significant presence.
They said the party named Samarth Mallikarjun as the candidate after considering all factors and taking Muslim leaders into confidence. Despite this, a campaign—allegedly involving some within the party—projected the Congress as having “betrayed” minorities by denying them the ticket.
Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed, MLAs Rizwan Arshad and Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, MLC Bilkis Bano and other leaders addressed a joint press conference on Friday, alleging an “internal conspiracy.”
Though the leaders did not name anyone, party sources said their remarks were directed at State Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Jabbar, and MLC and political secretary to the CM, Naseer Ahmed.
Khan, who had demanded a Muslim candidate for Davanagere South, initially stayed away from campaigning, citing commitments related to the Kerala polls. However, he later addressed a press meet with Samarth Mallikarjun’s father and Minister S S Mallikarjun at the request of the CM.
Jabbar, who hails from Davanagere, and Naseer Ahmed had not actively participated in campaigning. There are also reports alleging that some leaders even supported the SDPI candidate in the bypolls.
Muslim disgruntlement appears to be a concern for the Congress in Davanagere South. With 14 of the 25 candidates in the fray belonging to the community, the party fears a split in votes that could benefit the BJP.
Given its significant presence in the constituency, the Muslim community had strongly demanded the Congress ticket. Some party factions had opposed giving it to the Shamanur family.
Responding to a question about a group of senior Congress legislators travelling to New Delhi to meet the high command regarding a cabinet reshuffle and ministerial opportunities, Siddaramaiah said, “Let them go, I have no objections.”
He said the reshuffle, due after the government’s 2.5-year mark, was pending. “If they want to place a demand before the high command, let them,” he said.
On the delay in the reshuffle, he said there were various reasons, including elections in five states and the Union Budget.
