Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that action is being taken against some Congress leaders following allegations of an internal conspiracy to defeat the party's candidate in the Davanagere South by-election.
The move comes after a report by an AICC secretary flagged organisational lapses and alleged anti-party activity during the bypoll.
The report is said to have named several leaders, including Zameer Ahmed Khan and MLC Naseer Ahmed, in connection with actions that may have undermined the official campaign.
Naseer Ahmed has reportedly been asked to step down from his post as political secretary to the chief minister.
The dispute has spilled into competing accusations within the party, with minority leaders alleging that elements within the Congress had worked against its own nominee.
The by-election, triggered by the death of sitting MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, will have its votes counted on May 4.
