Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Karnataka State President Abdul Majeed has strongly denied allegations that Congress leaders, including Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, provided funding to his party during the recent Davangere South by-election.
In a pointed press conference, Majeed accused the Congress of selectively targeting Muslim and minority leaders for disciplinary action while overlooking similar or more serious anti-party activities by leaders from other communities.
The remarks follow a press meet by Congress leaders Rizwan Arshad and Saleem Ahmed, who alleged anti-party activities by some Muslim leaders in the Davangere bypoll.
The controversy led to the removal of senior Congress leader and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, Naseer Ahmed, from his post, and to the resignation of MLC Abdul Jabbar.
“Congress takes disciplinary action only against minority leaders. When leaders from major communities indulge in anti-party activities, no action is taken,” Majeed said.
He cited multiple past examples to support his charge:
- No action against senior leader Ramanath Rai despite complaints of anti-party work.
- Cross-voting by Congress MLAs in the 2012 MLC elections.
- No notice was issued to Shamanur Shivashankarappa after he openly campaigned for a BJP candidate.
- The 2018 defection of 14 Congress MLAs, many of them close aides of Siddaramaiah, to the BJP, with no inquiry or action taken.
Majeed appealed directly to Muslim leaders, workers, and the Ahinda (Backward Classes and Minorities) community within Congress not to remain silent.
He warned that the party was “dividing Muslim leadership” and using minorities as scapegoats.
On the funding allegations, Majeed was categorical: “We do not accept funds from any political party or leader. SDPI runs entirely on public and crowdfunding. These claims are baseless and aimed at creating infighting among Muslim leaders.”
He also announced that SDPI’s youth wing, Young Democrats, will formally launch its Karnataka chapter within the next 15 days after completing interviews and selection.
Majeed further criticised the prolonged delay in local body elections (BBMP, municipal, and panchayat polls), describing it as a “conspiracy” to prevent genuine decentralisation of power.
He pointed to neighbouring Kerala, which holds timely local body elections every five years.
Despite not winning the Davangere South seat, Majeed claimed that SDPI received unprecedented cross-community support, including from Dalits and inner-reservation activists disillusioned with both the Congress and the BJP.
The sharp exchange highlights growing tensions between Congress and SDPI ahead of Karnataka’s upcoming elections.
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