Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s request to be exempted from Independence Day flag-hoisting responsibility in Vijayanagara triggered a heated political row on Friday, with the BJP accusing him of disrespecting the nationwide competition and demanding his elimination from the state Cupboard.
Khan, who represents Chamarajpet in Bengaluru and holds the Housing portfolio, had written to Chief Minister D Ok Shivakumar on Thursday in search of exemption from each the flag-hoisting responsibility and the duty of Vijayanagara district in-charge minister. Following his request, the state authorities assigned the August 15 flag-hoisting responsibility in Vijayanagara to Minister Ok S Basavanthappa.
WHY ZAMEER SOUGHT EXEMPTION
In his letter, Khan cited upcoming native physique elections, together with these to the Larger Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Meeting bypolls and get together organisational actions as causes for in search of exemption from the district in-charge duty.
He stated he wouldn’t have adequate time to discharge the duties of a district in-charge minister and requested that he not be assigned the duty of any district.
Khan additionally stated he had been assigned to hoist the nationwide flag in Vijayanagara on August 15 however wouldn’t be capable to attend, in search of exemption from the responsibility.
He famous that he had earlier been tasked with assessing the drought state of affairs in Vijayanagara and had already submitted his report.
Khan had served because the in-charge minister of Vijayanagara in the course of the earlier Siddaramaiah-led authorities. Each Khan and Basavanthappa had been inducted into the Cupboard on August 3.
BJP ATTACKS ZAMEER OVER I-DAY DUTY
The difficulty was raised within the Meeting by senior BJP MLA Sunil Kumar, who questioned why a minister would search exemption from hoisting the nationwide flag on Independence Day.
“If a minister can not attend a nationwide competition, then why have such a minister? Is he so large and busy that he can not hoist the nationwide flag?” Kumar requested.
Displaying Khan’s letter, Kumar questioned whether or not accepting such a request mirrored a scarcity of respect for the nationwide flag and the Independence Day celebrations.
He demanded motion in opposition to Khan, saying Karnataka didn’t want a minister who didn’t have time to take part within the nationwide celebration.
BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan additionally criticised Khan’s choice. “This act can’t be defended or supported. No Indian would conduct themselves in such a way, however it’s unlucky such an individual is the Minister in Karnataka. That is an insult to the state, nation and the nationwide flag,” he stated.
PARAMESHWARA DEFENDS MINISTER
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara defended Khan, saying the minister’s request seemed to be aimed toward being assigned one other district and that well being issues had been concerned.
“He’s unwell to go to Vijayanagara, as it’s distant. He has made a request,” Parameshwara stated.
Nevertheless, BJP members identified that well being causes weren’t talked about in Khan’s letter, which cited his political and organisational tasks and stated he wouldn’t be capable to attend the August 15 programme.
Sunil Kumar rejected the Deputy Chief Minister’s rationalization and accused the federal government of defending the minister. “What well being? Folks cannot tolerate such issues… Do not defend such issues. Droop such a minister. Why maintain him?” Kumar stated.
Parameshwara reiterated that Khan seemed to be indicating that he can be unable to journey to Vijayanagara because of sick well being and that the Chief Minister had accordingly made different preparations.
BJP WALKS OUT OF ASSEMBLY
The change escalated as Sunil Kumar questioned the federal government’s dealing with of the problem and stated the BJP didn’t want classes on respecting the nationwide flag.
BJP MLAs subsequently staged a walkout from the Meeting, describing the federal government’s dealing with of the matter as “disgraceful”.
Chatting with reporters exterior the Meeting, Chief of Opposition R Ashoka termed Khan’s choice “an insult to the nation” and demanded motion from the Chief Minister.
Ashoka warned that failure to behave in opposition to the minister might encourage others within the authorities to behave equally.
“No stringent motion has but been taken in opposition to those that had raised pro-Pakistan slogans at Vidhana Soudha. Now, a minister has additionally proven disrespect in direction of the nation. If motion shouldn’t be taken in opposition to the minister, the folks themselves will train him a lesson,” he stated.
– Ends
With company inputs
