Gangavathi, July 23 -- Former Karnataka minister Iqbal Ansari has triggered fresh political ripples within the ruling Congress by alleging that leaders from his own party, and not the opposition, were responsible for his defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections, while asserting that he refrained from mobilising Muslim voters against the party despite having the influence to do so.
In a speech delivered to party workers at his Bengaluru residence, a video of which has gone viral on social media, Ansari alleged that Congress leaders from Yelburga, Koppal and Kanakagiri worked against him, leading to his electoral defeat.
Claiming he could have influenced Muslim voters, Ansari said it would have taken "just a second" for him to appeal to the co...