Dharwad: Anjuman-e-Islam Society of Dharwad and Hubballi has urged Congress leadership, including chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, to field a Muslim candidate in the forthcoming Davangere South Assembly byelection, citing the need for social justice and equitable representation.Addressing the media after a meeting with community leaders, society president Ismail Tamatgar and former minister AM Hindasgeri said the party should seriously consider allotting the ticket to a Muslim candidate. The byelection was necessitated by the demise of senior Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa.They said Muslims constitute a significant share of the constituency’s electorate and have consistently backed Shivashankarappa in previous elections out of consensus and respect. “During the last assembly election, Shivashankarappa had indicated that it would be his final contest and had sought the community’s support. Respecting his appeal, the community stood firmly with him,” Tamatgar said.“With the situation now changed, the Congress must ensure fair representation and do justice to the Muslim community,” he added.The leaders said the constituency has remained under the influence of the Shamanur family for over five decades and that the byelection offers an opportunity to broaden political representation. They pointed out that SS Mallikarjun, son of the late leader, is a minister, while his wife Prabha Mallikarjun is an MP.Referring to the Shiggaon bypoll, they said initial hesitation over fielding a Muslim candidate was overcome after efforts by senior leaders such as Zameer Ahmed Khan and Satish Jarkiholi. “The party eventually fielded Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, who secured a comfortable victory,” they said.Congress leader Deepak Chinchore described Zameer Ahmed Khan as an experienced and secular leader and cautioned party members against making disparaging remarks about him. He said the party could win Davangere South if it fields a Muslim candidate.
