U.T. Khader Hits Out at Muslim Leaders Demanding Ministries, Says Congress Needs No Advice From Non-Workers
The newly inducted Karnataka minister strongly defends the state leadership's cabinet layout, telling community leaders to earn political equity through groundwork.
In a direct and sharp political rebuff, senior Congress leader and newly appointed state minister U.T. Khader strongly criticized a section of Muslim community leaders and clerics who have been aggressively demanding additional ministerial portfolios within the newly formed state cabinet. Khader asserted that the Congress administration operates on a highly meritocratic framework and does not require political or strategic advice from individuals who do not actively contribute to the party’s grassroots organization.
The controversy stems from the recent high-profile cabinet restructuring in Karnataka under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara. Following the swearing-in of the initial 12-member cabinet cohort, several minority socio-religious organizations expressed public dissatisfaction, alleging that the community was underrepresented given its massive electoral support for the ruling party.
Addressing the media regarding these grievances, Khader defended the party’s selection process, highlighting that ministerial berths are allocated based on administrative experience, regional equilibrium, and long-term organizational loyalty rather than community pressure tactics. He noted that leaders who stay away from field campaigning during elections have no moral right to issue ultimatums or dictate terms to the high command once the government is formed.
Khader emphasized that the Congress party remains deeply committed to safeguarding minority welfare, social justice, and equitable development across all communities. However, he cautioned that attempting to reduce complex governance and administrative appointments to absolute communal quotas undermines the democratic process and distracts from the core developmental agenda of the state.
The minister urged disgruntled leaders to shift their focus away from high-stakes political lobbying and instead channel their energy into grassroots welfare initiatives. He assured the public that the party high command would systematically evaluate further cabinet expansions in due course, keeping regional equity and the executive needs of Karnataka as the primary criteria.