K'taka: Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan quits

Bangalore, Jan 2: In a major blow to the less than a year old Janata Dal (S)-BJP Coalition government in Karnataka, Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan today tendered his resignation in protest against Chief Minsiter H D Kumaraswamy not attending a Bakrid prayer meeting here.

Mr Khan met Governor T N Chaturvedi at the Raj Bhavan this morning and tendered his resignation. His meeting with the governor came soon after Mr Kumaraswamy called on Mr Chaturvedi.

Talking to newsmen after his meeting with the governor Mr Khan said that Mr Kumaraswamy had insulted his community by not attending the prayer meeting, for which he had personally invited the Chief Minister.

He said ''I will take back the resignation only of the Chief Minister apologies to the community''. He would also submit his resignation letter to Assembly Speaker Krishna, he added.

When asked about Mr Kumaraswamy's statement that he had sanctioned five acres of land for the Haj Bhavan, Mr Khan said that it was not the Chief Minister's personal property, it was government land. ''He had not done any special help to the community'' Mr Khan claimed.

UNI