Bengaluru, April 15 (NationPress) Karnataka's Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Rural Development, Priyank Kharge, publicly supported the party's choice to expel Congress Legislative Council member Abdul Jabbar, emphasizing that this decision was made for the greater good of both the party and the government.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Kharge asserted that no individual holds authority above the party, and all members are obliged to comply with its directives. He remarked, “Any decision made by the party is final, whether it involves candidates or financial matters. It is essential that everyone aligns with the party’s stance.”

He made it clear that the decision was not arbitrary but rather followed discussions within the party. Regarding the Davanagere ticket, he stressed that it is the duty of every Congress member to follow the party’s guidance once a decision is made.

Kharge pointed out that the reasons for the expulsion, including funding concerns, had been thoroughly communicated within the party. He also rejected media rumors, affirming that actions are predicated solely on information officially provided to the party's top leadership.

“The high command will decide if any further measures are necessary. Should more members need to be removed, they will determine that accordingly,” he stated.

In a significant turn of events, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee suspended Abdul Jabbar from the party’s primary membership on Wednesday morning due to his involvement in activities deemed detrimental to the party.

The suspension order was signed by Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar.

The official letter read: “Abdul Jabbar, Member of the Legislative Council, is suspended from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress immediately, due to his anti-party actions during the recent by-election in the Davanagere South Assembly constituency.”

Jabbar, who previously led the state party's Minority Wing, was asked to resign from his position. After accepting his resignation, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar dissolved the Minority Wing. Jabbar had also expressed interest in running for the Davanagere South Assembly seat as the Congress candidate.

It is worth mentioning that another Congress MLC, Naseer Ahmad, was also dismissed from his role as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Political Advisor on April 14 for similar reasons.

This situation is expected to intensify the leadership conflict within the party between the factions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.