On Saturday, leaders from the Dalit community staged a protest at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka, demanding that the Congress party appoint former minister K H Muniyappa as Deputy Chief Minister (DCM). Organized by the Madara Mahasabha and various Dalit organizations, the protest aimed to highlight the lack of representation for the Madiga community in significant political roles, such as Chief Minister or DCM. Protesters warned that ignoring their demands could politically harm the Congress party. The demonstration coincided with the arrival of Congress leaders, including Randeep Singh Surjewala, who were in the city for a meeting ahead of the Legislature party assembly. Meanwhile, the Lingayat community is also lobbying for senior leader Ishwar Khandre to be appointed as DCM, indicating a broader struggle among different groups for political representation within the Congress party. The Congress Parliamentary Party meeting later that day is expected to finalize leadership roles, including the Chief Minister position, likely to be filled by DK Shivakumar.