Infighting Allegations Rock Karnataka Congress After Davanagere South Bypoll

Bengaluru, April 2026 : A day after the bypoll for the Davanagere South Assembly seat, signs of internal discord have surfaced within the Indian National Congress in Karnataka, with several leaders from the minority community alleging a conspiracy from within the party to defeat its own candidate, Samarth Shamanur.

Leading the charge, Council Chief Whip Salim Ahmed claimed that certain senior leaders had deliberately worked against the party nominee. Addressing a joint press conference alongside leaders such as Rizwan Arshad, Yasir Khan Pathan, and Balkis Banu, Ahmed said that despite the alleged sabotage, minority communities had largely supported the Congress.

“Some senior leaders hatched a major conspiracy to defeat Samarth. However, minorities voted in favour of the party,” Ahmed stated. He added that the decision to field Samarth had been taken with the consensus of minority leaders and was known to top leadership, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Ahmed also pointed to the support extended by religious leaders, including a message from the head of Khwaja Bande Nawaz institution in Kalaburagi, urging voters to ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party does not gain ground.

Despite the internal rift, Ahmed expressed confidence in the party’s performance, citing internal surveys that reportedly indicate a strong victory for Congress in the constituency. He attributed this optimism to the popularity of the state government’s “five guarantee” schemes, as well as the developmental legacy of Samarth’s grandfather, late Shamanur Shivashankarappa, a former MLA.

He also praised the efforts of leaders like N.A. Harris and Tanveer Sait for mobilising minority voters in favour of the party. Meanwhile, sources revealed that AICC Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Abhishek Dutt has submitted a detailed report to the high command, recommending action against those allegedly involved in undermining the candidate.

Samarth Shamanur is the son of Karnataka Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjun and Davanagere MP Prabha Mallikarjun, making the controversy politically significant within influential circles of the party.

The situation has been further complicated by complaints against Housing Minister B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan. Several leaders have reportedly approached AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, alleging that Zameer did not campaign for the party candidate.

Zameer is said to have been upset over the party’s decision not to field a Muslim candidate and was reportedly engaged in campaigning for the UDF in neighbouring Kerala during the bypoll. His strained relationship with S.S. Mallikarjun further added to tensions, especially after remarks suggesting his role was not crucial.

Although Zameer later met Mallikarjun on April 5 at the insistence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and publicly reconciled, his limited involvement in campaigning remained a point of contention. He is also believed to have lobbied for his associate, MLC Abdul Jabbar, who too did not actively campaign.

Adding to the complications, minority leader Sadiq Pailwan had filed his nomination as a rebel candidate. While party leaders initially sought Zameer and MLC Naseer Ahmed’s help in persuading him to withdraw, it was ultimately Salim Ahmed and Rizwan Arshad who convinced Pailwan to step aside.

The unfolding developments highlight growing factionalism within the Karnataka Congress, even as the party awaits the bypoll results. The controversy has intensified internal debates and may prompt disciplinary action from the high command in the coming days.