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Karnataka Congress Faces Backlash Over Action Against Minority Leaders

The dispute tests the party’s push for discipline against fears of alienating Muslim voters.

Overview

  • Ulema-e-Karnataka, a body of Muslim clerics, held a press conference in Bengaluru calling the moves unjust and demanded the reinstatement of Naseer Ahmed and K Abdul Jabbar.
  • The state unit had suspended MLC Abdul Jabbar and removed Naseer Ahmed as the chief minister’s political secretary over alleged anti-party activity linked to the Davanagere South bypoll.
  • Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar denied any targeting of minorities and said party discipline applies to everyone, describing Ahmed’s removal as an administrative choice at the chief minister’s discretion.
  • Senior Congress leaders, including B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan and Satish Jarkiholi, criticized the process and timing, saying notices and a chance to respond should have come before any action.
  • Muslim organizations tied their warning to broader grievances on representation and ticket allocation, raising the risk that the party could lose a key voting bloc if it does not address these concerns.