‘Delhi did it, not me’: Shivakumar on action against Congress MLCs

Bengaluru: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar Friday rejected the allegations of internal conspiracy in the Congress' disciplinary action against three minority community functionaries, asserting that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on reports from AICC general secretaries.Stating he had no personal role, Shivakumar, who is also KPCC president, underlined that party discipline was paramount and sought to allay concerns that the move could be seen as targeting Muslims or it could impact the party's vote base."I don't have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi. People may blame me, but I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline," he said.Congress first removed MLC K Abdul Jabbar as KPCC minority wing chief and later suspended him from the primary membership of the party. MLC Naseer Ahmed was relieved of his role as the chief minister's political secretary. Housing and minority welfare minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan was pulled up by chief minister Siddaramaiah for alleged anti-party activities during the recent Davanagere South bypoll.The action followed complaints from a section of Muslim leaders alleging that some party members worked against the official candidate of Congress.Shivakumar dismissed reports of factionalism and denied any divide between him and Siddaramaiah. He also rejected the claims that leaders close to the chief minister were being targeted.Meanwhile, PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi Friday said he met Shivakumar to press for revocation of Jabbar's suspension and ensure damage control within the party. "I had a meeting with Shivakumar to ensure damage control. No matter the circumstances, Dalits and minorities are our voters... The KPCC president has assured me that he will look into it," he said. He said he had conveyed that Jabbar had worked with Congress for a long time and that the situation needs to be corrected.CM should clarify on Zameer: HariprasadSenior Congress MLC BK Hariprasad urged Siddaramaiah to clarify reports circulating on social media about possible action against Zameer. There is also speculation that Zameer could face further disciplinary action during a cabinet reshuffle."The developments unfolding after the by-election are not a positive sign. Zameer is a senior leader and an experienced member of the cabinet," Hariprasad said, cautioning against hasty decisions and suggesting that complaints be routed through the party's disciplinary system.————————-BOXCM not backing loyalists: RajannaSenior Congress MLA and former minister KN Rajanna Friday said CM Siddaramaiah appeared helpless as he was not defending his loyal supporters. His remarks come after action against MLCs Abdul Jabbar and Nazeer Hussain, seen as close to the CM. Rajanna was dropped from the cabinet last year on high command's directions over his remarks on Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's vote-theft campaign. "There will be vested interests who conspire against loyalists. What we expect is that the CM should stand strong, but he is not. That is sad," he said.—-———QuoteThere are no Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar factions. We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board? All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah's people as well. Everyone belongs to Congress-D K Shivakumar | KPCC chief