Published Apr 14, 2026 | 5:39 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 14, 2026 | 5:56 PM
Naseer Ahmed, K Abdul Jabbar, and BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Synopsis: Days after bypolls for Davanagere South and Bagalkot concluded, the ruling Congress in Karnataka has found itself mired in internal turmoil after a section of its minority leaders were allegedly found working against the party to support a Muslim candidate in Davanagere. Two close aides of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have been removed for alleged anti-party activities, with Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan also expected to face disciplinary action. The rift, according to observers, risks the party alienating its core Muslim base, potentially benefiting the BJP.
All is not well within the Karnataka Congress, days after bypolls to two Assembly constituencies—Bagalkot and Davanagere South—concluded. Fissures between the party and some of its minority leaders, which first surfaced during candidate selection for the polls, have now been blown open, denting the party’s cohesion at a time when it is attempting to project unity.
In a matter of four days, two close aides of Siddaramaiah—State Congress Minority Department President K Abdul Jabbar and political secretary Naseer Ahmed—have been removed from their posts for allegedly engaging in ‘anti-party’ activities, chiefly covertly backing Afsar Kodlipete, a minority candidate who contested on an SDPI ticket in Davanagere South.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC President, dissolved the Minority Wing Committee formed under the leadership of Jabbar.
All eyes are now on whether similar action will be taken against Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, who has also been named in an internal report prepared by AICC Secretary and co-in-charge Abhishek Dutt for being involved in backing an SDPI candidate.
He was summoned to Siddaramaiah’s residence on Tuesday, 14 April, hours after Ahmed’s removal first came to light.
“I said in an open meeting: Please give us a Muslim candidate. Give Davanagere to anyone (from the Muslim community). I said this openly in the meeting. Nothing was said behind closed doors,” Khan told reporters.
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Tensions first began after the Congress decided to nominate Samarth Mallikarjun, grandson of the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa, for the bypoll in Davanagere South, instead of a Muslim candidate. The move triggered discontent within the Muslim community, which forms a key part of the electorate.
It was not just a demand by the community, but a ‘word’ given by the Shivashankarappa, who had held the seat uninterrupted since 2013. In 2023, Shivashankarappa had said they would ensure that a minority community candidate would get a ticket the next time.
The three leaders who have been accused of backing an SDPI candidate and allegedly funding his campaign played an active role in advocating for a candidate from the minority community.
In fact, K Abdul Jabbar was one of the aspirants for the position and was miffed by the party’s decision to field a political novice instead of a minority leader.
His name was also floated in 2013, but Shivashankarappa was eventually nominated by the party, Congress leader Tanveer Sait had earlier told South First.
Zameer Ahmed Khan and Naseer Ahmed had also actively demanded a minority candidate during meetings with the high command. However, the three of them stayed away from campaigning after Samarth was announced as the official candidate.
When Congress leader Mohammad Sadiq Pailwan announced that he would fight the bypoll as an independent, a delegation comprising Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed and MLA Rizwan Arshad visited his residence and persuaded him to back out – a notable absence from the delegation was that of Khan.
Shivakumar, in fact, told reporters that the party had instructed Naseer Ahmed as well to go to Davanagere South Assembly constituency and urge the rebel candidate to withdraw from the contest. “He has failed to fulfil this responsibility,” he said.
Zameer Ahmed Khan was also absent during a large portion of campaigning ahead of the bypoll in Davanagere. He was deputed to campaign in neighbouring Kerala, where he was in charge of 10 districts, with Shivakumar describing him as a “star campaigner” for the party there.
He eventually arrived in Karnataka during the last leg of the campaign upon directions from the CM.
He visited the Shamanur family home, where he was welcomed by Shivashankarappa’s son, Horticulture Minister SS Mallikarjun. The duo also held a joint press conference in a bid to showcase unity.
“Mr Mallikarjun may have said something like we do not need Mr Khan here to campaign for us in Davanagere. He may have said it in anger or jest. I think it is natural. But I do not take such things to heart. I have no ill will against him or his family. I will campaign for the Congress candidate seriously,” Khan had said.
However, despite these attempts, internal differences spilled into the open during an unprecedented press conference on Friday by several minority leaders – including those who had urged Mohammad Sadiq Pailwan to withdraw.
Saleem Ahmed, MLAs Rizwan Arshad and Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, MLC Bilkis Bano, and other Congress leaders alleged that some minority leaders had ‘conspired’ to defeat Samarth. They stopped short of naming the leaders, but all fingers pointed towards the three leaders who are now under the radar.
Unconfirmed reports state that the trio allegedly funnelled ₹10 crore to support the SDPI candidate’s campaign. Sources told South First that the high command will decide whether any further disciplinary action has to be taken against them.
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The latest exits—K Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Ahmed—who are close aides of Siddaramaiah, mark a significant jolt to the Chief Minister’s camp.
He is now left without any political secretaries. His other political secretary, MLC K Govindaraj, was removed from his post last year in the aftermath of a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium. A letter revealed that he had sought “arrangements for a big celebration for the RCB team in Bengaluru.”
In fact, the latest removals add to a string of exits from the Chief Minister’s camp – KN Rajanna, LK Atheeq, and Govindaraj are among those who have either stepped down or been removed from key positions, all in a matter of months.
Amid these exits from the CMO, political analysts and senior Cabinet ministers have claimed that Siddaramaiah’s second term has been less assertive and weaker than his first.
The infighting has also raised concerns about a potential split in the Congress’s core Muslim vote base, which could eventually help the opposition.
In this by-election, a total of 13 out of the 25 candidates in the fray were Muslims in Davanagere. While SDPI and AIMIM do not have a considerable presence in the region, the ongoing turmoil could result in a section of Muslim votes going to them, according to observers.
“It is possible that this Davanagere election will clear the proximity of Congress with Muslims. Their votes will be split, with younger Muslims voting in favour of SDPI and the senior Muslim population traditionally voting for Congress,” said political analyst Harish Ramaswamy.
He said dynastic politics would continue unless a law was introduced to limit representatives to two terms.
Any such split in votes could end up becoming an advantage for the BJP, potentially ending the stronghold that Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s family has had over the region.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
