Muslim Leaders Demand Five Cabinet Berths In Karnataka, Warn DKS Of Electoral Fallout
Muslim Leaders Demand Five Cabinet Berths In Karnataka, Warn DKS Of Electoral Fallout Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 16:00 IST The leaders maintained
Muslim Leaders Demand Five Cabinet Berths In Karnataka, Warn DKS Of Electoral Fallout Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 16:00 IST The leaders maintained that the Muslim community had played a significant role in helping the Congress secure victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. Rapid Read Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar Muslim religious leaders and clerics in Karnataka demanded that five members from the community be accommodated in the state Cabinet, asserting that the Congress government came to power with the support of Muslim voters and warning of political consequences if their demand is ignored. The demand was raised during a gathering of Muslim leaders and clerics at the Hazrat Syed Fateh Shah Wali Dargah in Bellinagar on Wednesday evening, where special prayers were also offered. The participants called for the induction of senior Congress leaders B Z Zameer Ahmad Khan, N A Harris, Tanveer Sait and Saleem Ahmed into the ministry, arguing that the community deserved greater representation in the government.
Addressing the gathering, one of the religious leaders warned the Congress leadership against overlooking the demand. “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," he said. The leaders maintained that the Muslim community had played a significant role in helping the Congress secure victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections and expected adequate representation in return. “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," another cleric said. The gathering noted that Assembly Speaker U T Khader had already been accommodated in a key constitutional position and argued that four other senior Muslim Congress leaders should now be inducted into the Cabinet.
The clerics also highlighted the long association of the leaders concerned with the Congress party and their contributions over several decades. “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. 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 Cabinet representation. Some speakers adopted a more assertive tone, warning the party leadership against ignoring the demand. “If five ministerial posts are not given, we will show what our strength is," one speaker said, adding that the Congress should “repay the debt" owed to the Muslim community for its electoral support.
The religious leaders further warned that they would launch a statewide agitation if their demand for enhanced representation in the Cabinet was not accepted. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Karnataka, India, India First Published: June 04, 2026, 16:00 IST News india Muslim Leaders Demand Five Cabinet Berths In Karnataka, Warn DKS Of Electoral Fallout Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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