As the race for Karnataka’s upcoming Rajya Sabha elections gathers pace, a growing section of civil society members, retired officials and political commentators are informally pushing the Congress leadership to consider former IAS officer LK Atheeq for the Upper House.

While Muslim organisations have broadly appealed for minority representation from Karnataka in the June 18 polls, many activists say the conversation around Atheeq goes far beyond symbolic representation. They describe him as a rare combination of administrative depth, policy expertise and secular credibility at a time when Parliament is increasingly seen as lacking technocratic voices.

With the Congress expected to secure three of the four Rajya Sabha seats, Atheeq’s name has quietly emerged in discussions among policy circles and community leaders as a potential consensus candidate.

“He brings something very different to politics,” said Bengaluru-based civic activist Mohammed Faisal. “This is not about identity alone. Atheeq understands governance from the grassroots to the global level. Parliament needs people who can speak on economics, rural development, public finance and administration with authority.”

Supporters of Atheeq point to his unusually wide-ranging bureaucratic career spanning more than three decades. Over the years, he handled several key portfolios in Karnataka, including Finance, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, besides serving as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. He is currently associated with the Bengaluru Business Corridor project as its Chairman.

His experience also extends beyond the State. Atheeq earlier served in the Prime Minister’s Office, where he dealt with social sector initiatives, before later representing India at the World Bank Group in Washington D.C. as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director.

Political analysts note that the Congress in recent years has increasingly shown confidence in former bureaucrats entering public life. They cite the electoral success of former IAS officer G Kumar Naik from Raichur and the rise of former bureaucrat-turned-MP Sasikanth Senthil as examples of the party embracing administrative professionals with governance experience.

“Congress appears more open today to candidates who come with governance credentials instead of traditional political backgrounds,” said a retired academic and political observer who did not wish to be named. “In that context, Atheeq fits naturally. He carries a clean image, has worked across governments without controversy and is generally viewed as balanced and development-oriented.”

Activists backing his candidature also stress his academic and policy engagement outside government service. Apart from his bureaucratic career, Atheeq teaches public finance at the National Law School of India University and is associated with policy research initiatives through the Public Affairs Centre.

Social activist Tejaswini Raju said Atheeq’s appeal lies in his ability to bridge administration and policymaking. “People are looking at competence and credibility. His exposure to governance at both State and international levels gives him an understanding that could genuinely enrich parliamentary debates,” she said.

The Congress leadership has so far not indicated any names for the Rajya Sabha nominations. However, among sections advocating for an experienced and secular public figure from Karnataka, LK Atheeq is increasingly being viewed as a serious contender rather than merely a symbolic choice.