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Thursday, April 16
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Congress rift deepens in Karnataka as Abdul Jabbar suspended over bypoll ‘sabotage’ row


Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Apr 16, 2026: The Congress plunged deeper into internal strife on Wednesday after suspending MLC Abdul Jabbar for alleged “anti-party activities” during the April 9 Davangere South bypoll, sparking strong reactions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp.

Jabbar’s suspension comes close on the heels of the removal of MLC Naseer Ahmed as the Chief Minister’s political secretary, fuelling perceptions that leaders close to Siddaramaiah are being systematically targeted. There are also growing demands within the party for action against Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, another loyalist of the CM.


Abdul Jabbar

All three—Jabbar, Ahmed and Zameer—have been accused of attempting to undermine the Congress campaign in Davangere South.

In a statement, Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar said Jabbar had been suspended from the party’s primary membership due to his “anti-party activities” during the bypoll.

Jabbar had resigned as chairman of the Congress minorities department last week, a move that was accepted by Shivakumar.

Party insiders say discontent had been brewing among Jabbar, Ahmed and Zameer over the denial of a ticket to a Muslim candidate in Davangere South, where the community holds significant electoral influence. Instead, the party fielded Samarth, grandson of late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

Reacting sharply, Jabbar alleged “differential treatment” within the party and questioned the lack of action against Shivashankarappa, who he claimed had openly campaigned for BJP leader BS Yediyurappa’s son, BY Raghavendra, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“I should have been consulted before being suspended. I was not informed of the grounds for action, nor given an opportunity to respond,” Jabbar said.

He added that the Minority Legislators Forum had pushed for either a Muslim candidate or a nominee from another underrepresented community. “Our concern was that one family should not dominate representation,” he said, referring to the Shamanur family’s political presence in Davangere.

Meanwhile, former minister KN Rajanna, another Siddaramaiah loyalist, questioned the party’s disciplinary standards, asking why no action was taken against Shivakumar for sharing a platform with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who had earlier courted controversy over remarks on Rahul Gandhi.

“The rules seem selective. There appears to be one standard for some and another for others,” Rajanna remarked, highlighting growing unease within the party ranks.


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