Bengaluru, April 16 -- The Congress on Wednesday suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership, owing to alleged anti-party activities in the run-up to the recent by-election in the Davanagere South assembly segment.

Deputy chief minister and party state chief DK Shivakumar announced the decision, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over ticket allocation, after Jabbar's bid was rejected in favour of sitting MLA late Shamanuru Shivashankarappa's grandson Samarth Shamanur Mallikarjuna. Senior leaders later accused Jabbar of failing to back the official nominee during the campaign.

On Sunday, Jabbar stepped down as the head of the party's minority wing.

Responding to the order, Jabbar said that ticket discussions included dema...