Bengaluru/Davanagere: A war of words has erupted within the Indian National Congress even before the by-election to the Davanagere South Assembly constituency, which fell vacant following the death of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
Ministers Zameer Ahmed Khan and S. S. Mallikarjun have engaged in a public exchange over the issue of the party ticket.
The controversy began after Zameer Ahmed Khan suggested that the Congress ticket for the by-election should be given to a minority candidate. Responding strongly in Davanagere, Mallikarjun said that the decision would be taken by by-election committee coordinator Manjunath Bhandari. He criticised Zameer and questioned his authority to comment on the Davanagere constituency.
Minority leaders had requested ticket: Zameer
Reacting to Mallikarjun's remarks in Bengaluru on Monday, Zameer said that some minority leaders had met him in Davanagere and later in Bengaluru and urged him to ensure that the ticket is given to a minority candidate. He said he only conveyed their request.
Zameer also stated that while Shamanur Shivashankarappa was alive, he had reportedly said that his last election had been contested and that in the future a minority candidate would be given the ticket and he would help them win. Zameer said they did not expect Shivashankarappa to pass away so soon.
He added that as a minority leader, it was natural for minority communities to approach him. According to him, the constituency has around 80,000 minority votes, and people have requested him to push for a ticket. However, he clarified that the final decision lies with the Congress high command and that he would only submit a report.
No issue in minorities seeking ticket
Zameer further said that no constituency belongs to an individual leader. He remarked that all 224 constituencies belong to the Congress high command, and neither he nor Mallikarjun has the authority to make the final decision. He said there is nothing wrong if a community demands a ticket and he would continue to raise the request, but the final call would be taken by the party leadership.
He also pointed out that a candidate named Saifulla had earlier been given the party's B-form, adding that this is not the first time minorities have sought a ticket. Zameer said the party would win the seat regardless of who gets the ticket.
Who is Zameer to speak about our constituency?: Mallikarjun
Meanwhile, minister S. S. Mallikarjun strongly criticised Zameer Ahmed Khan and asked who he is to speak about the Davanagere South constituency. Speaking to reporters, Mallikarjun expressed anger over what he described as Zameer's interference in the constituency's political matters.