(L-R) B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan and H D Kumaraswamy.
Credit: DH Photos
Mysuru: State Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan on Tuesday offered an apology following a controversy after he referred to Union minister H D Kumaraswamy as 'Kariyanna'.
Speaking to the media in Mysuru, Zameer Ahmed said, "H D Kumarswamy and I used to be very close earlier and spent 14 hours a day together. I used to call him Kariyanna and he would call me Kulla, out of affection. If that has hurt anyone including JD(S) workers I apologise."
He also clarified that he had not stated that would buy H D Devegowda's family, he said, "Does any one in Karnataka has capacity to buy H D Devegowda family. I only told that HDK is trying to buy muslim votes in Channapatna. That will not work," he said.
When asked about alleged proposal for reservation in Government contracts, Zameer Ahmed said," There are no such discussions. CM's office has issued clarification in this regard, he said.
CM's office has clarified that there is demand for reservation for muslim community members in Government contracts. But there has not been any proposal in that regard before the Government.
Box:
Ahead of the Wakf election scheduled on November 19, Zameer Ahmed held the meeting of voters at a private hotel in Mysuru on Tuesday. He said that the Wakf land issue would not be discussed in the meeting.