Karnataka Muslim clerics demand five Cabinet berths in Congress government

Muslim clerics and religious leaders in Karnataka demanded five Cabinet berths for community representatives, arguing that Muslim voters played a key role in the Congress's electoral success. They warned of protests and political repercussions if the demand remains unmet

Hubballi (Karnataka): Muslim religious leaders and clerics in Karnataka have demanded that five members from the community be accommodated in the state Cabinet, asserting that the Congress came to power with the support of Muslim voters.

They warned the Congress leadership that the party would face serious consequences in the next assembly election if their demand is not met.

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The demand was raised at a gathering of Muslim leaders and clerics at the Hazrat Syed Fateh Shah Wali Dargah in Bellinagar here on Wednesday evening, where special prayers were also offered.

A call was also made for the induction of senior Congress leaders including B Z Zameer Ahmad Khan, N A Harris, Tanveer Sait and Saleem Ahmed into the ministry.

“If five Muslims are not given places in the Cabinet, then you will face serious consequences in the days ahead. I want to make it clear that you yourselves will be responsible for that situation,” one of the religious leaders said while addressing the gathering.

The leaders maintained that the Muslim community had played a key role in bringing the Congress to power in Karnataka and deserved greater representation in the government.

“All of us Muslims came together and voted with the belief that Congress should form the government in Karnataka. We helped bring this government to power. We are asking that the remaining four senior leaders from our community also be given ministerial positions. Today, all of us have gathered here and made this request collectively. We are going to continue pursuing this demand together,” another cleric said.

The gathering noted that Assembly Speaker U T Khader had already been accommodated in a prominent constitutional position and argued that four other senior Muslim Congress leaders should also be inducted into the Cabinet.

Addressing reporters another religious leader said Muslims constituted a sizeable section of Karnataka’s population and had consistently backed the Congress.

“All of us unitedly vote for the Congress party and help it win elections. If you fulfil this demand, it will be good for everyone in the future,” he said.

The clerics also highlighted the long association of the leaders concerned with the Congress and their contributions to both the party and the community.

“For the last 35 to 40 years, these leaders have stood firmly with the Congress party. They have contributed both to the community and to the Congress party. Therefore, our expectation is that these five senior leaders should be given an appropriate position and recognition,” a speaker at the event said.

The organisers said Saleem Ahmed, Zameer Ahmad Khan, N A Harris and Tanveer Sait were among the senior-most Muslim leaders in the Congress and deserved representation in the Cabinet.

Some speakers adopted a more aggressive tone, warning the party leadership against ignoring the demand. “If five ministerial posts are not given, we will show what our strength is,” a speaker said, adding that Congress must “repay the debt” owed to the Muslim community for its electoral support.

The religious leaders further warned that if the demand was not accepted, they would launch a statewide agitation.