Amid Cabinet-reshuffle and CM-change calls, resignation and sackings rock Karnataka Cong

Rifts in the Karnataka Congress are getting wider by the day. Even as two groups of MLAs make tall demands of the high command—one seeking a Cabinet overhaul and the other a change in chief minister—a churn is underway in Davangere, which voted in the bypolls on April 9.

The crisis started when the Congress high command announced Samarth Mallikarjun, grandson of the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa, as the party’s candidate for the vacant seat. This decision triggered a discontent among minority leaders.

Three top minority leaders—Naseer Ahmed, MLC Abdul Jabbar, and Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed—stayed away from the by-election campaign. Other community leaders accused the trio of conspiring against the party’s candidate. After the bypolls were done, Abdul Jabbar was the first to resign from the post of the KPCC Minority Cell president. Now, Naseer Ahmed has been removed from the CMO.

Stern action

Naseer Ahmed, who had been serving as the CM’s Political Secretary since June 1, 2023, has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, according to a notification issued by Abhijin B, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.

Breaking his silence, Zameer Ahmed has explained: “Naseer Ahmed was in charge of Bagalkot. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself instructed him to stay there. Though Naseer expressed willingness to go to Davangere, the CM asked him to remain in Bagalkot for 10 days in the party’s interest.” However, he did not oblige.

Also read: Karnataka bypoll fallout: CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary removed amid row

The high command and KPCC president DK Shivakumar are now taking strict action against minority leaders. Soon after Abdul Jabbar’s resignation, Shivakumar dissolved the entire minority unit, signalling sweeping changes. Now, Naseer Ahmed’s removal has further intensified the situation, with sources suggesting that more resignations could follow. Zameer Ahmed may also face the heat.

Change of tone

On Tuesday (April 14), however, Zameer Ahmed said: “Yes, there was some dissatisfaction over the Davangere by-election ticket distribution. But everything is fine now. Our candidate has community support and will win with a huge majority.”

Responding to criticism that he is considered the “supreme leader” of the minority community in this part of Karnataka, Zameer Ahmed said: “I have never called myself a leader. I am only a servant of the people, a regular Congress worker. If others call me a leader, I cannot help it.”

Rejecting allegations of injustice to minorities in ticket distribution, he added: “On March 20, a public meeting was held at the KPCC office in the presence of Randeep Surjewala and Shivakumar. Over 200 leaders and block presidents attended it. Everything was discussed openly there. No decisions were taken behind closed doors.”

Demand for ministerial berths

Amid this churn, MLA Rizwan Arshad and MLC Salim Ahmed are reportedly pressuring the party high command to give the community a ministerial berth. Legislative Council Chief Whip Salim Ahmed is also in a fierce competition for a ministerial berth. He has reportedly demanded a ministerial berth as he was actively involved in the Davangere by-election and party organisation in the districts of north Karnataka.

Also read: Karnataka politics shifts to Delhi: One camp wants Cabinet changed, another seeks new CM

Salim Ahmed has been trying to get a ministerial berth for the past one year. He had also recently put forward his demand for a ministerial berth in a press conference. “I have worked to strengthen the Congress party in the Kittur Karnataka region, including Dharwad, Haveri, and Gadag. If I am given a ministerial berth in this region, development of the Muslim community will accelerate. The Congress party will become even stronger.”

Salim Ahmed is among the MLAs who have demanded a Cabinet reshuffle by May 15. A delegation of more than 20 MLAs led by the party’s chief whip in the assembly, Ashok Pattana, and the Karnataka government’s special representative in Delhi, TB Jayachandra, met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (April 13) evening, but they are seeking to meet Rahul Gandhi.

However, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is currently active in the West Bengal election campaign. Therefore, the MLAs have sought time to meet AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal and state in-charge, Surjewala, on Wednesday (April 15), sources told The Federal. They will stay back in Delhi till April 16 hoping to meet Rahul.

Unmet promises?

The MLAs’ demand stems from a supposed promise made by the high command when the Congress returned to power in the state in 2023. The state government will complete three years in power on May 20. The high command had apparently promised to reshuffle the cabinet after two and a half years and give room to new faces.

Also read: Karnataka CM alleges ‘betrayal’ over Bhadra Canal funds

“AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has listened to our demands with sympathy. We are confident that the high command will take a decision at the appropriate time,” said Jayachandra. Pattana said, “The KPCC president (Shivakumar) has warned us, but we are not doing anything to harm the party. If those who have repeatedly become ministers are enjoying power, why should we be there? Don’t we also deserve a chance?” he remarked.

The other camp

Another ministerial aspirant, SN Narayanaswamy, said, “Our only demand is a cabinet reshuffle.”

“Except for CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar, all the remaining ministers should be replaced and senior MLAs and newcomers should be given a chance,” demanded MLA Yashwantray Gowda Patil.

However, the MLAs of the DK Shivakumar faction would hardly agree with Gowda Patil. They are also preparing for a trip to Delhi to insist on a leadership change—a switch between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the CM post as apparently promised in 2023 as well. They are ready to take the matter to the high command if the latter entertains the “cabinet reshuffle” camp.