Miffed JD (S) minister quits

Just days before the planned reshuffle of ministerial portfolios by the Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP coalition government in Karnataka, Wakf and Haj Committee minister Syed Zameer Ahmed Khan tendered his resignation accusing chief minister H D Kumaraswamy of neglecting minorities.

Khan, a JD (S) leader, had played a pivotal role in the political coup staged by Kumaraswamy earlier this year to form the coalition government with the BJP. The JD (S) rewarded Khan by drafting him into the Council of Ministers.

However, relationship between the chief minister and Khan soured later owing to many reasons. He was no more on talking terms with Kumaraswamy or the party supremo H D Deve Gowda.

Khan represents the Chamarajapet Assembly constituency, the only segment in Bangalore where JD (S) has a presence. He won the by-election necessitated by the resignation of former chief minister S M Krishna, who went on take up the responsibility of Maharashtra governor.

On Tuesday, Khan submitted his resignation to Karnataka governor T N Chaturvedi. His resignation was referred to the chief minister, who urged the governor to accept it. Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said Khan took a hasty decision: "I had no option other than accepting his resignation."

According to JD (S) sources, Khan had hints that he may be dropped from the Council of Ministers.

"He took least interest in the party affairs after assuming the position of a minister. He made wild accusations against the JD (S) leaders in public and has not performed to the expected level," sources said.

The coordination committee of the coalition government is meeting in Pune on January 5 for an introspection. "The reshuffling of the ministerial portfolios and Cabinet expansion will be discussed at the meeting," the sources added.