The Congress on Wednesday suspended MLA K Abdul Jabbar from the primary membership, for alleged anti-party activities in the run-up to the recent by-elections in the Davangere South Assembly segment.
Deputy Chief Minister and party state president DK Shivakumar announced the decision, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over ticket allotment, after rejecting Jabbar’s offer in favor of sitting behind Chamanuru Shivashankarappa’s grandson Samarth Chamanur Mallikarjuna. Senior leaders later accused Jabbar of failing to support the official candidate during the election campaign.
On Sunday, Jabbar resigned from the position of head of the party’s minority wing.
Responding to the matter, Jabbar said the ticket discussions included demands to consider candidates from the Kuruba community, rather than favoring one family. “I am yet to receive the suspension letter and learned about the decision through media reports,” he said, urging the media to seek clarification on the evidence against him that prompted the party leadership in the state to take the step.
He and Naseer Ahmed, former political secretary to the Prime Minister, were targeted, he alleged, adding that he had worked for the party since his days in the National Union of Students of India.
He also denied allegations of any electoral damage to the party. He added that the party granted him the position and appreciation and that he would respond fully after receiving the official communication.
As internal reviews continued, additional claims emerged within the party’s assessment of the bypoll. Among them is the allegation that some leaders unofficially supported the Social Democratic Party of India candidate Afsar Kudlipit. The leadership has not responded publicly to these allegations, although internal assessments and intelligence inputs indicate there is tacit support for rival candidates.
The review is also understood to have pointed out the roles of Karnataka BZ Minister Zamir Ahmed Khan and MLC Naseer Ahmed, who serves as political secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in actions that may have influenced the party’s official campaign. Naseer Ahmed has reportedly been asked to step down from his position, while discussions are still ongoing regarding further disciplinary action.
