After 2 MLCs, more heads to roll post Davanagere bypoll?

BENGALURU: After two heads rolled post the Davanagere South bypoll, pressure seems to be mounting for one more head to roll? After two MLCs, Abdul Jabbar and Nasir Ahmed, resigned as minority commission chairman and political secretary to the CM, respectively, there is speculation about the continuance of Zameer Ahmed Khan in the Siddaramaiah cabinet or whether the CM will protect his favourite follower from trouble.

Allegations of betraying the party in the Davanagere arena have landed CM’s close aide Minister Zameer in trouble. Allegations of anti-party activities have surfaced against some Muslim leaders of Congress in the Davanagere by-election.

The fallout has already led to action against two MLCs for anti-party activities. Along with that, there are reports that pressure is mounting at the AICC level for one more big “head to roll.” It’s being said that, along with the two Council members who faced action, pressure is naturally increasing for action against Minister Zameer as well.

Because of the growing pressure for Minister Zameer’s “head to roll,” CM Siddaramaiah reportedly summoned his close aide Zameer Ahmed on Tuesday and spoke to him. It is said that Minister Zameer Ahmed gave his explanation about the developments in his own way. Based on that explanation, there is rising curiosity over whether CM Siddaramaiah will protect his favorite disciple from any trouble.

The allegations of party betrayal in the Davanagere arena have put CM’s close aide Minister Zameer in a difficult spot, and there is growing curiosity about whether the CM will succeed in safeguarding his aide’s interests.

On Tuesday, the CM held a long discussion with Zameer Ahmed. The CM also reportedly informed Zameer about the action taken against Abdul Jabbar and Nazeer Ahmed. It remains to be seen if Zameer Ahmed will play it safe by personally giving an explanation for the allegations of anti-party activities. The Kerala campaign with K C Venugopal may come as a blessing for Zameer Ahmed, it is being said.

Zameer Ahmed reportedly claimed that he did not indulge in any anti-party work and, as per the high command’s orders, he campaigned in Kerala. Due to this he could not give much time to Davanagere, he reasoned.

While admitting that he did lobby for a ticket to a Muslim candidate, Zameer Ahmed told the CM that he did not work against the party as the ticket was given to someone else. He also pointed out that as per the CM’s instructions, he campaigned for one day in Davanagere and for two days in Bagalkot. “It’s only the opponents who are talking about anti-party activities. I am a common worker of the party, a soldier who obeys what the party says. I have not worked against the party”, he is said to have insisted.