Congress MLA's 'Muslims outnumber Vokkaligas' comment stirs controversy in Karnataka
Tuesday, 26 July 2022 (16:45 IST)
Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has warned Congress MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan for his "unwarranted and uncharitable" statement about Muslims outnumbering Vokkaligas in Karnataka.
"Your recent public remarks are completely unwarranted and in poor taste. It is expected from experienced Congress leaders to understand and adhere to the 'Lakshman Rekha' of the party's discipline and ideology," Surjewala said in a letter addressed to Khan.
Asked about the letter, Khan said he would not react without having a look at it.
"I have not received any notice, I have seen it in the media, it is not a notice, it is a letter. I am travelling. Without looking at it, I can't react. I am in Davangere, I will be travelling to Chitradurga later, once I go to Bengaluru, let me see," he told reporters.
Khan's claim about Muslims outnumbering Vokkaligas in Karnataka has stirred a hornet's nest with several Congress leaders belonging to the Vokkaliga community taking exception to his comment.
The Muslim leader made this claim reacting to Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar's appeal to Vokkaliga community to support his candidature. The community forms a major vote bank in the old Mysuru or southern Karnataka region.
Khan is a close associate of Siddaramaiah, whose backers have been engaged in a political slugfest with Shivakumar supporters, as both the groups want their leader to assume the Chief Minister's seat if the Congress returns to power in Karnataka.
"Unwarranted and uncharitable statements help no one expect to create avoidable controversies and bitterness," Surjewala said. "Regrettably, your inessential public statements have ended up creating unnecessary faultlines."
The foundational ideology of the Congress is its inherent inclusiveness away from the divisions of caste and religion, Surjewala said.
"You are hereby warned to be careful in the future in making public remarks and steadfastly adhere to the discipline and ideology of the Congress," he said. (UNI)
