MLC K Abdul Jabbar has been suspended from Congress party's primary membership. Photo: Screengrab from ANI
Karnataka Congress suspends MLC Jabbar for anti-party activity in bypoll
Action follows claims of internal conspiracy in Davanagere South bypoll as party cracks down on leaders accused of anti-party activities
Bengaluru, Apr 15 (PTI) Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar on Wednesday suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect for "anti-party activities" in the run-up to Davanagere South Assembly constituency bypoll.
On Sunday, Shivakumar accepted Jabbar's resignation as the party's Minority Department Chairman and dissolved the committees constituted under him. This followed accusations from a group of Muslim leaders who accused members of their own party of "conspiracy" to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
"Sri Abdul Jabbar, Member of Legislative Council, is hereby suspended from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress party (INC) with immediate effect, in view of his anti-party activities in the recent by-election to the Davanagere South Assembly Constituency," Shivakumar said in a release.
Jabbar, an MLC, aspired for the Congress ticket from the Davanagere South Assembly segment, but the ticket went to Samarth Mallikarjun, grandson of the late MLA and veteran party leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
Shivashankarappa's death necessitated the by-election on April 9.
In a related move, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday relieved MLC Naseer Ahmed, who is also accused of working against the Congress during the bypolls, of his role as political secretary.
A rift surfaced within the Karnataka Congress on April 10, a day after bypolls to two Assembly constituencies, as a group of Muslim leaders alleged an "internal conspiracy" by some senior party 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 Naseer Ahmed.
Khan, who had openly demanded the Davanagere South ticket for a Muslim candidate, initially stayed away from campaigning in the constituency, citing commitments related to the Kerala polls. However, he later addressed a press meet with Samarth's father and Minister S S Mallikarjun at the request of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Jabbar, who hails from Davanagere and Naseer Ahmed had not actively participated in campaigning. There are some reports alleging that the leaders even helped the SDPI candidate in the bypolls.
Amid the ongoing developments, Siddaramaiah said on Sunday that action is being taken against some Congress leaders based on the AICC secretary's report, following allegations of an internal "conspiracy" to defeat the party candidate in the Davanagere South by-election.
Shivakumar, who is also the Deputy CM, said on Tuesday, following action against Naseer Ahmed, that "Party discipline is more important. Ahmed was asked to go to Davangere South and get the rebel candidate to withdraw. He didn't go....." Following action against Jabbar and Naseer Ahmed, speculation is that Khan may also face action during the next cabinet rejig.
Bypolls for Davanagere South were held along with Bagalkot on April 9. The election was necessitated following the death of sitting MLAs Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
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, there are apprehensions within the party about a split in votes, which could benefit the BJP.
Given its significant presence in the constituency, the Muslim community strongly demanded the Congress ticket for Davanagere South. Some party factions had opposed giving the ticket to the Shamanur family.
Although the Congress was successful in persuading one of the rebel candidates, Sadiq Pailwan, to withdraw from the contest, he remained in the fray because the move came after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations. PTI