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Minister quits; no talks to convince him: Kumaraswamy

Special Correspondent

A one-time close associate of CM, now turned a rebel

BANGALORE: Karnataka Minister for Wakf and Haj Committee Zameer Ahmed Khan resigned from the H.D. Kumaraswamy Ministry on Tuesday expressing dissatisfaction over the Chief Minister staying away from the Id (Bakrid) prayer meeting on Monday.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have decided to accept the resignation of Mr. Ahmed, a one-time close associate who had taken the ministerial oath in Mr. Kumaraswamy's name, but turned a rebel now.

Mr. Ahmed, who personally submitted his resignation letter to Governor T.N. Chaturvedi and sent a copy of the letter to the Chief Minister's office, stated that he would withdraw his resignation if Mr. Kumaraswamy tendered a public apology to the Muslims for "hurting their sentiments by not attending the Id prayer meeting."

Mr. Ahmed, Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from Chamarajpet, who came to the Raj Bhavan in a private vehicle along with a large number of his followers, made it clear that he would not quit the Legislative Assembly or the party. He would even attend the party legislators' meeting convened by the Chief Minister in a resort near Pune in Maharashtra a few days later, he said.

The Chief Minister also met the Governor shortly before Mr. Ahmed entered the Raj Bhavan. However, the Chief Minister maintained that he had not discussed the resignation issue with the Governor. He claimed that he had met the Governor only to greet him on the occasion of the New Year. He could not wish the Governor on the New Year Day as the latter was busy, he said.

The Chief Minister ruled out holding consultations to convince Mr. Ahmed to reconsider his decision. "I have not committed any mistake as alleged by him," Mr. Kumaraswamy said and remarked that it was left to Mr. Ahmed to decide whether he should continue in the Ministry.

Asked if he would accept Mr. Ahmed's resignation, the Chief Minister evaded a direct reply and only said: "Let him submit the resignation letter, we will see... "

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