Politics – Internal Rifts Surface in Congress After Davanagere Bypoll
Politics – A day after voting concluded for the Davanagere South Assembly bypoll, signs of unease have emerged within the state Congress unit, with several leaders from the Muslim community alleging internal sabotage against the party’s official candidate, Samarth Shamanur.
Allegations of Internal Sabotage
Senior party figures, including Council Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed, have publicly claimed that certain influential leaders within the Congress attempted to undermine Samarth’s campaign. Addressing the media alongside legislators such as Rizwan Arshad, Yasir Khan Pathan, and Balkis Banu, Saleem said that the matter had already been brought to the attention of the party’s top leadership.
According to him, the decision to field Samarth Shamanur was taken after consultations with representatives of minority communities. Despite this, misunderstandings reportedly arose during the campaign. Saleem maintained that minority voters largely remained loyal to the party and backed its candidate. He also pointed out that religious leaders, including a prominent figure from Kalaburagi, had appealed to voters to support Congress in order to prevent any advantage for the BJP.
Confidence in Electoral Outcome
Despite the internal discord, Saleem expressed optimism about the party’s performance. He stated that internal assessments conducted by the Congress indicate a strong victory in Davanagere South. He attributed this confidence to the state government’s welfare initiatives, particularly its five key guarantee schemes, as well as the developmental legacy associated with the Shamanur family.
Samarth Shamanur’s candidacy carries political weight, as he is the son of Karnataka Horticulture Minister SS Mallikarjun and is connected to a family with a longstanding presence in local politics. Saleem also highlighted the efforts of MLAs NA Haris and Tanvir Seth, crediting them for actively mobilising support among minority voters in the constituency.
Report Submitted to Party High Command
Sources within the party suggest that a detailed report has been submitted to the Congress high command by Abhishek Dutt, who oversees Karnataka affairs at the national level. The report is said to outline concerns about internal dissent and reportedly recommends disciplinary action against leaders accused of working against the party’s interests.
This development indicates that the leadership is taking the allegations seriously and may initiate corrective measures depending on the findings.
Complaints Against Senior Leader
In a parallel development, some Congress leaders have reportedly filed a complaint against Karnataka Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan. The grievance centres on his absence from the campaign in Davanagere South.
Party insiders suggest that Zameer’s dissatisfaction stemmed from the denial of a ticket to a Muslim candidate. During the campaign period, he was reportedly engaged in political activities in neighbouring Kerala, supporting another alliance. His strained relationship with senior leaders had also become a subject of discussion within party circles.
Although efforts were made to reconcile differences—reportedly at the urging of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah—Zameer’s involvement in the bypoll campaign remained minimal. Apart from a brief visit, he did not actively participate in campaigning for Samarth Shamanur.
Rebel Candidature and Damage Control
Further complicating the situation, a minority leader, Sadiq Pailwan, had initially entered the fray as a rebel candidate after filing his nomination. The party had attempted to persuade him to withdraw, seeking assistance from senior leaders including Zameer Ahmed Khan and MLC Nazir Ahmed. However, these efforts did not succeed initially.
Eventually, intervention by Saleem Ahmed and Rizwan Arshad proved effective, as they managed to convince Sadiq to withdraw his candidature, preventing a potential split in votes.
Growing Challenges Within Party Ranks
The developments surrounding the Davanagere South bypoll highlight underlying tensions within the Congress in Karnataka. While the leadership remains hopeful about the electoral outcome, the allegations of internal divisions and lack of coordination raise concerns about unity within the party.
How the high command responds to these issues in the coming days could play a significant role in shaping the party’s organisational strength ahead of future elections.
Tags: