Bengaluru: Setbacks involving Scheduled Tribe (ST) functionaries in Congress are raising concern that such disputes could feed discontent among sections of the state’s tribal electorate.Developments involving former minister B Nagendra, public works minister Satish Jarkiholi and former minister KN Rajanna are unrelated. Yet, party functionaries worry they could feed a narrative that Congress is weakening ST representatives.The concern is less about revolt since Karnataka’s ST electorate is diverse, with issues shaping voting choices. But the perception of unequal treatment could be damaging before the 2028 assembly elections.Nagendra’s case is the most prominent. As ST welfare minister in the previous Siddaramaiah cabinet, he resigned in 2024 after allegations of financial irregularities in Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. He was re-inducted into DK Shivakumar’s cabinet but had to quit again after opposition BJP and JD(S) disrupted the monsoon session of the legislature, claiming he was not given a clean chit and demanding his resignation.“Though Congress initially defended Nagendra, it eventually let him go to deny the opposition political mileage, though that decision came too late,” said a senior Congress functionary. “However, rumour mills went overdrive that a prominent Congressman orchestrated the protest to force Nagendra to resign so he would not spill the beans on the scam.”The case of Jarkiholi, the most influential of the three ST faces, is different. Enforcement Directorate searches involving him, his daughter and associates have brought a family under scrutiny. Searches do not establish wrongdoing, but allegations, which remain under investigation, lend taint. Speculation of an insider role has added to unease.Rajanna’s case could have direct political bearing. MLA from Madhugiri and from Nayaka community, he has roots in the cooperative sector. His removal from the cabinet in 2025 after controversial remarks against Rahul Gandhi had strained relations with party brass.The setback came in the Karnataka State Cooperative Apex Bank election on Thursday. Shivakumar’s brother-in-law and MLC, S Ravi, was elected president after Rajanna did not file his nomination. Ravi secured support from 18 designated directors, with Rajanna the lone exception.Rajanna, backed by former CM Siddaramaiah, was considered a strong contender and held discussions with Congress national general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala. The outcome was seen as a victory for Shivakumar and a setback for Rajanna.“Now, if Rajanna’s supporters or sections of his social base begin interpreting subsequent developments through a caste or community lens, Congress could face political difficulty. The danger is that individual disputes could gradually acquire a broader social identity,” said an MLA from Tumakuru.Political analyst Vishwas Shetty said, “That narrative could be damaging ahead of the 2028 assembly elections if it gains traction among tribal organisations, community leaders and Congress workers. But it is premature to call this an outright ST backlash, with no clear evidence of statewide tribal consolidation against Congress. But these are warning signs. If controversies involving the trio are seen as community-representation issues rather than individual disputes, Congress could face a larger ST sentiment problem.”
