Zameer draws flak for BJP leaders and Muslim Speaker comment

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Minister for Housing and Minority Affairs BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan has landed himself in hot water after asserting that Congress’ appointment of UT Khader as Assembly Speaker had forced BJP MLAs to be respectful to a Muslim leader.

He made the remarks in an election rally in Telangana. Since then, Opposition BJP and JD(S) have reacted sharply, calling it disrespect to the Speaker’s position.

However, Zameer said Opposition leaders had misinterpreted his statement, insisting he had been speaking about the representation given to Muslims and that he didn’t mean to disrespect any lawmaker.

“Muslims had been given 17 seats (tickets) and of them nine were elected. Despite this five people have been given power. Zameer Ahmed got a ministry with three portfolios. Rahim Khan also got a ministry. Saleem Ahmed was made Chief Whip (in the Council). Naseer Ahmed was made political secretary (to the chief minister). Moreover, no one (Muslim) had become the Speaker in the history of Karnataka but Congress appointed U T Khader. Today, even the biggest BJP leaders should say ‘sir namaskar’ to him. Who made that possible? Congress,” Zameer said.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra demanded that Zameer apologise. “Zameer Ahmed's inappropriate remarks attempting to associate religious undertones with the Speaker's role are profoundly undemocratic and reveal a lack of faith in the constitution. We firmly denounce this behavior and call for an unconditional apology from him,” Vijayendra said.