Don't charge labourers, APL card holders for medical treatment'

February 15, 2011

Mangalore, February 15: Despite repeated appeals from Dakshina Kannada district administration to withdraw its decision, the Akhila Bharatha Karmika Sangha (ABKS) on Tuesday launched a continuous day-night silent dharana in front of the Wenlock hospital and Lady Goschen Hospitals against the move to charge labourers and APL card holders seeking treatment at Government Wenlock District Hospital.

The main demands of the protesters include cancelling of medicine and bed fees, providing hot water for bath for pregnant and lady patients, controlling the misappropriation of funds sanctioned by the government, provision of 30 beds in Intensive Care Unit etc.

Speaking to media persons Jalandhar Shetty, City President of ABKS said that the Wenlock hospital which should have been serving the poor patients, has turned into a death zone.

He said most of the staff in both hospitals are not behaving well with the patients.

Meanwhile, the district administration has urged ABKS to give up its continuous silent protest. Earlier, the District Surgeon P Saroja and Superintendent of Lady Goschen held meetings with members of the ABKS and explained to them about the functioning of the two units, which are charging minimum fee for few types of treatment alone as per government orders. The fee is used for hospital development purposes, according to them.

However Shetty said that his Sangha would continue the protest until its demands get fulfilled

Ramesh Rao, City Spokesperson of the Sangha, Eshwar Shetty, City Vice President, Raju Kulal, General Secretary and Praveen Amlamogaru are among the protesters.

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From Representation to Rivalry: The Sorry State of Muslim Leadership in Karnataka Congress

coastaldigest.com news network

January 19,2026

Bengaluru: As the dust settles on the recent legislative session, the corridors of Vidhana Soudha are buzzing with more than just policy talk. A high-stakes game of political musical chairs has begun, exposing a deepening rift within the Congress party’s Muslim leadership as a major Cabinet reshuffle looms.

With the party hierarchy signaling a "50% refresh" to gear up for the 2028 Assembly elections, the race to fill three projected Muslim ministerial berths has transformed from a strategic discussion into an all-out turf war.

The "Star Son" Spark

The internal friction turned public this week following provocative remarks by Zaid Khan, actor and son of Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. Zaid’s claim—that his father "helped" secure a ticket for Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad in 2023—has acted as a lightning rod for resentment.

Rizwan’s camp was quick to fire back, dismissing the comment as a desperate attempt by Zameer to manufacture seniority. "Rizwan’s political pedigree was forged in the NSUI and Youth Congress long before Zameer even stepped into the party," a supporter noted, highlighting Rizwan’s tenure as an AICC secretary and his two-term presidency of the State Youth Congress.

A Tale of Two Loyalists

While both Zameer Ahmed Khan and Rizwan Arshad are staunch allies of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and represent Bengaluru strongholds, their political DNA could not be more different:

• Zameer Ahmed Khan: A four-time MLA who crossed over from JD(S) in 2018. Known for his "overzealous" and often polarizing outreach during communal flashpoints—from the DJ Halli riots to the recent Wakf land notice controversy—his style has frequently left the Congress high command in a state of "discomfort."

• Rizwan Arshad: A homegrown organizational man. Seen as a "quiet performer," Arshad represents the sophisticated, moderate face of the party, preferred by those who find Zameer’s brand of politics too volatile.

The Outsiders Looking In

The bickering isn't limited to a duo. The "Beary" community, represented by leaders like N A Haris and Saleem Ahmed, is demanding its pound of flesh. Saleem Ahmed, the Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, has dropped the veil of diplomacy, openly declaring his ministerial aspirations.

"I was the only working president not included in the Cabinet last time," Saleem noted pointedly, signaling that the "loyalty quota" is no longer enough to keep the peace.

As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah prepares to finalize the list, he faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding the aggressive grassroots mobilization of Zameer’s camp without alienating the organizational stalwarts and minority sub-sects who feel increasingly sidelined by the "Chamarajpet-Shivajinagar" binary.

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