Bengaluru: The bypoll to Davanagere South assembly seat has sparked an intense contest among Congress’ Muslim members, to emerge as the face of the community while also triggering internal divisions.Housing minister BZ Zameer Khan, arguably the most prominent minority member, is miffed over the party’s decision to pick Samarth Shamanur, grandson of late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Khan was keen on the ticket going to a Muslim since the community accounts for 40% of 2.3 lakh electorate. While Khan and a section of Muslims including Naseer Ahmed, CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, and K Abdul Jabbar, MLC, chose to voice their angst, others like Saleem Ahmed, Congress’ chief whip in legislative council, and Rizwan Arshad, Shivajinagar MLA, stepped in to assume leadership roles. Saleem Ahmed and Arshad initially also backed a Muslim candidate, but they shouldered the responsibility of pacifying the community once the party chose Samarth as the candidate. They got rebel candidate and local Congress heavyweight Sadiq Pailwan to retire which has given them an edge with party brass. It brightens their prospects of becoming ministers should a cabinet rejig happen. “Winning the Davanagere South bypoll is a collective responsibility,” said Saleem Ahmed. “We will win as the Muslim community will continue its steadfast support for Congress.” Khan, meanwhile, has left for Keralam to campaign in the assembly polls there. His conspicuous absence in Davanagere South has triggered speculations of a fallout. Naseer Ahmed is in Bagalkot, the other assembly seat where elections will be held on April 9, and is expected to join Siddaramaiah in campaigning on Monday. “A separate team is in charge of Davanagere South,” said Naseer Ahmed. “I may campaign there at a later stage. Yes, we wanted the party ticket for our community, but it is the party’s decision.” Muslims account for about 14% of the state’s estimated 6.5 crore and their support is critical for Congress. The community’s overwhelming support for Congress in the 2023 assembly helped the party secure a thumping victory. If Khan’s and Naseer Ahmed’s disgruntlement translates into votes being divided, the two seniors may be saddled with blame for a setback. It could play into Saleem Ahmed’s and Arshad’s hands “It is too early to write off Zameer Khan,” said Priyank Kharge, rural development and panchayat raj minister. “There is still time for him to join the Davanagere South campaign. Everyone in Congress has the right to seek the party ticket but the choice ultimately rests with party brass one should understand this.”
