BENGALURU, April 17 -- A section of Muslim religious and political leaders in Karnataka on Thursday accused the Congress of acting arbitrarily against minority leaders and risking broader alienation within its support base following developments linked to the Davanagere South by-election.

President of the Karnataka unit of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Mufti Iftikhar Ahmad Qasmi, said at a joint press conference organised by Ulama Karnataka that the party's recent actions could distance the AHINDA coalition, which has been central to the Congress's electoral strength in the state. He alleged that decisions were taken without due process. "Before taking any action, a show-cause notice should have been issued and an explanation sought. Instead, act...