Bengaluru, Aug 14 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP on Friday criticised Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan alleging that he had sent a request to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar seeking exemption from the duty of hoisting the Tricolour during Independence Day celebrations, citing engagements with party organisational work and bypolls. However, the Congress has rejected the BJP’s allegations.
The BJP also targeted Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over the matter and demanded his apologies.
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Friday targeted Congress MP Gandhi, alleging that such an attitude was part of the Congress’ culture and demanded an apology from the LoP and the Congress leadership.
“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership, who believe that party power is more important than the nation, should apologise to the people of Karnataka,” Ashoka demanded.
He also accused Zameer of placing party politics and electoral calculations above the National Flag and the country’s Independence Day celebrations.
“Those who do not even have the willingness to hoist the National Flag are nothing but anti-national elements in this government. For a responsible minister, has party politics become more important than the sacred duty of paying respect to the Tricolour on Independence Day?” Ashoka said.
Questioning Zameer’s request for exemption, Ashoka said the government provides ministers with all necessary facilities and arrangements to enable them to attend official programmes.
“I don’t know which great work he has other than hoisting the National Flag. The government provides all facilities for him to reach the spot and makes all arrangements for him to stay,” Ashoka said.
He recalled the sacrifices made by freedom fighters for the country’s Independence and said it was inappropriate for a minister to claim that he did not have time to hoist the Tricolour.
Ashoka also questioned Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s decision to retain Zameer in the Cabinet.
“What is CM Shivakumar doing by keeping this minister in the Cabinet? Is this not an insult to the country? Is it not disrespect to the Constitution? How will CM Shivakumar ensure governance?” he asked.
He further said the people would decide the consequences if elected representatives hesitated to participate in Independence Day celebrations.
Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai also criticised Zameer, claiming that the minister had lost influence within the Congress following the Davanagere bypoll.
“Zameer Ahmed, after the Davanagere bye-election, does not have respect in the party and the government. It is evident in every step. Today he is refusing to take charge as district in-charge minister and in future he will refuse for many more things,” Bommai claimed.
BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra said hoisting the National Flag was a duty of a minister and not a matter of choice.
“Zameer Ahmed has written a letter to the CM saying he has no time to hoist the National Flag during Independence Day celebrations as he is busy with party organisation and bypolls. I would have appreciated it if he had declined the ministership also. Profitability we want and accountability we don’t want,” Vijayendra said.
He alleged that Zameer had insulted the Tricolour and said the minister should understand that hoisting the National Flag was part of his responsibility.
However, the ruling party came to Zameer’s defence, with Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Minority Affairs, Haj and Waqf, U.T. Khader, rejecting the BJP’s allegations.
Khader said Zameer had deep respect for the country and claimed that no BJP leader could match his patriotism.
“No BJP leader has love for the country that Minister Zameer has. There is no scope for criticism. Zameer is a leader who mixes with everyone and takes everyone along,” Khader said.
He also denied the BJP’s allegations that Zameer had stated that he would not hoist the National Flag.
The controversy erupted after Zameer allegedly wrote to Chief Minister Shivakumar seeking exemption from the Independence Day flag-hoisting duty, citing his engagements.
The alleged request has since triggered a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP.
–IANS
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