Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said Khan terming Kumaraswamy 'kaalia' was wrong and the party will mend his ways.
Published Nov 16, 2024 | 9:10 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 16, 2024 | 9:10 PM
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Deploring Waqf and Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan’s racial slur against Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, Karnataka PCC president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hinted at the party correcting his Cabinet colleague.
Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru on Saturday, 16 November, Shivakumar said Khan terming Kumaraswamy “kaalia” (black) was wrong.
“Zameer’s use of the word ‘Kaalia’ against Kumaraswamy is wrong. We will mend his ways. Can’t talk publicly about taking any action,” the KPCC chief said.
Khan has been considered close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
He was responding to a specific query on whether action would be initiated against the minister based on KPCC Vice President ARM Hussain’s letter.
Khan repeatedly referred to Kumaraswamy as “kaala” and “kaalia” during the bypoll campaign in Channapatna. Against the backdrop of the Waqf controversy, he also said the Muslim community can raise enough funds to “buy” Kumaraswamy’s family.
The minister was responding to Kumaraswamy’s statement that the JD(S) did not want Muslim votes. The Union minister’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy is the NDA candidate in Channapatna.
In his letter to Shivkumar, Hussain said Zameer did not comprehend the dignity and privilege of being a minister and adding losses to the party and the government.
The letter came after the Congress candidate in Channapatna CP Yogeshwar expressed apprehension that he might lose the poll due to Zameer’s unwarranted comment. The bypoll result is expected on 23 November.
Zameer, who later apologised, said he made the comment “out of love” for Kumaraswamy.
However, Shivakumar on Saturday, disapproved of the “banter”. “The exchange of statements between them is their internal matter. But Zameer must not have used the word ‘Kaalia‘ and spoken about his wealth,” he said.
“I don’t know if it was a banter or a serious barb, but as the President of KPCC, I deem it wrong. We have communicated this to him internally and he has already apologised,” he said.
Asked about Kumaraswamy calling Zameer “sewage”, he said, “As I said earlier, it is a matter between them. People have heard their barbs against each other, they will decide.”
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
