Senior Congress leader K. Abdul Jabbar has resigned as chairperson of the Karnataka Congress minorities department, intensifying internal rifts within the party’s Muslim leadership following the Davangere South bypoll. Jabbar, a Member of the Legislative Council, said he submitted his resignation to Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D. K. Shivakumar on Saturday. However, the letter was dated April 3, nearly a week before polling, when allegations surfaced that certain Muslim leaders worked against the party. The controversy erupted after Government Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad accused unnamed senior leaders of attempting to sabotage the Congress campaign. While no names were officially mentioned, speculation centred around Jabbar and Housing Minister B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan. In his resignation letter, Jabbar expressed “deep sadness” over the treatment of Muslim leaders within the party. He criticised “disrespectful” remarks against Zameer Ahmed Khan, stating they had hurt party workers. He also claimed that the minorities department was not consulted during the bypoll campaign and alleged that certain leaders were being sidelined. Speaking to reporters, Jabbar said he felt “shocked” by recent public statements made within the party. The resignation underscores growing unease within the Congress’ minority leadership and raises concerns about unity ahead of future electoral challenges in Karnataka.
