K'taka: Kumaraswamy greets Governor on New year

Bangalore, Jan 2: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today extended New Year greeting to Governor T N Chaturvedi at Raj Bhavan here.

The Chief Minister was with the Governor for about 15 minutes.

Replying to questions by reporters about Minister for Wakf deciding to quit from the Ministry, alleging that the Chief Minister showed no concern for the minorities, Mr Kumaraswamy said that he had no knowledge about it since he (Mr Khan) has not expressed his decision to quit from the cabinet.

He said ''I learnt about his decision only through news papers.

I have not received an official communication to the effect and I cannot react at present based on reports in the press''.

When asked why he did not attended Bakrid Prayer yesterday, Mr Kumaraswamy said that it was not in his official engagement.

Referring to allegations that he (Mr Kumaraswamy) was neglecting people belonging to minority communities, Mr Kumaraswamy shot back saying that " I was the one who sanctioned five acre land for Haj Bhavan. The matter was pending since last 10 years. The budget allocation was increased four times. How can you say that I am ignoring Minority Community, he questioned.

To another question, he said that " one should not take any decision hurriedly. Whether Mr Khan's decision to quit will have any affect on Ministry or party can not be answered at present." It may be recalled here that Mr Khan has expressed his decision to quit the Ministry alleging that the Chief Minister did not come to greet the people on Bakrid despite having invited one week back.

He (Mr Kumaraswamy) also did not go to Church during Christamas."

UNI