The alleged audio of Zameer’s attempt to ‘sabotage’ the post-election polls has gone viral

Trouble over Muslim leadership in Congress continues, this time over an audio clip. An alleged phone conversation between former BZ minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Congress leader Mohammed Siraj, which surfaced and went viral on Monday, has sparked a fresh controversy over alleged attempts to sabotage Congress’ chances in the Davangere South bypolls.

Amid talks to form the cabinet after DK Shivakumar took over as chief minister, Mr Zameer described the release of the audio as a “political conspiracy”. He said it was cooked up by miscreants to create confusion and spoil his chances.

“No one should believe this. The audio is fake and was created using artificial intelligence. A police complaint will be filed with the cyber police against those who created and spread the audio. Let any investigation be done on this audio,” the former minister said in a statement.

Mr Siraj also described it as “100% lies” and said they were only talking to discuss how to work for the Congress. Mr. Siraj lodged a complaint in this regard with the CEN (Cyber, Economic and Narcotics) police station in Davangere.

Mr Ahmed, who was part of the outgoing Siddaramaiah-led government, is believed to be lobbying to re-secure a Cabinet berth.

The Davangere bypoll preparations have become tricky for the Congress leadership amid talk that sections of Muslims, upset over the denial of a ticket to a candidate from the community, might turn against the party. The Congress nominated Samarth Shamanur, the grandson of former minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa, whose demise prompted the polls. In the end, he narrowly won the election.

The SDPI candidate secured his highest ever vote share in the constituency. The audio clip features two voices talking about the SDPI “cooker” symbol.

The confusion and alleged attempts by some leaders to sabotage the Congress’s prospects led to the expulsion of MLC Abdul Jabbar from the party after he resigned as chairman of the minority cell, while Mr Siddaramaiah’s political secretary Naseer Ahmed was removed. Mr. Zameer was charged, although he did not face charges.

Published – 1 Jun 2026 21:26 IST