Bengaluru, 14 April

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah summoned Housing, Minority Welfare and Waqf Minister, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan to his office residence over the Davangere South bypoll fallout after a government order said that political secretary Naseer Ahmed was relieved from his post with immediate effect.

The details of the meeting were not immediately clear, but prior to the meeting, Khan told the press that it was not a hidden fact that Muslim leaders demanded a ticket for someone from their community.

He said that on 20 March, Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had called a meeting at the Congress office, where more than 200 leaders from Davangere had participated, including a large number of minority leaders.

"I said in an open meeting: Please give us a Muslim candidate. Give Davangere to anyone (from the Muslim community). Nothing was said behind closed doors," Khan said.

However, the Congress fielded Samarth Shamanur, grandson of MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa whose death necessitated the bypoll on 9 April. Samarth is the son of Karnataka Mines and Geology Minister SS Mallikarjun.

Muslim leaders, angered by this, reportedly refrained from campaigning for Samarth in a constituency that has a significant Muslim presence.

Regarding Ahmed's removal, Khan said, “The CM had asked him to go to Davangere, and since he didn't go, a decision has been taken.”

Meanwhile, Shivakumar said that the decision to remove Ahmed came after multiple reports and called for discipline in the party ranks.

"If there is no discipline in any party, nothing can function," Shivakumar, who is also the State Congress President, said. "There is nothing wrong with holding meetings or asking for posts; please do. But one must maintain strict discipline. That is my humble request."

He added that the decision to field Samarth was made after taking everyone into confidence and after multiple reports.

Asked about the specific allegations against certain leaders, he said he was awaiting further clarity.

"We, too, had received some reports. Another report has to come on what exactly happened (in Davangere South); I am waiting for it," he said.