Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Jun 20: The Dakshina Kannada District Like-Minded Organisations have strongly objected to the alleged lack of representation given to the Muslim minority community and AHINDA leaders in the Karnataka Cabinet expansion and demanded immediate corrective measures.
Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, Muslim leader Hanif Khan Kodaje said that the Muslim community has been supporting the Congress party for several years but has not received the expected political representation. He said the contribution of minority voters must be recognised through fair opportunities in governance.
“Muslims have stood with Congress for years. However, the community has not received justice despite its continuous support,” Hanif Khan said.
He said that in the last election, around 46% of the votes received by Congress came from the Muslim community and urged the party leadership to consider their demands seriously.
Highlighting the role of senior Muslim leader B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Hanif Khan said that denying him an important position in the cabinet would send a wrong message to the community. He warned that if Zameer Ahmed Khan is ignored, Congress could face political consequences in the coming elections and claimed that the party may lose around 40 seats.
“Zameer Ahmed Khan has played an important role in strengthening Congress. The party should respect his experience and the support he has among people,” he said.
The organisations also questioned why senior leader U.T. Khader was not considered for the post of Deputy Chief Minister and demanded better representation for Muslim leaders and other AHINDA communities.
The delegation urged the state government and Congress high command to provide at least five ministerial positions to Muslim representatives, give Zameer Ahmed Khan a suitable position matching his political contribution, and ensure fair representation for minorities, backward classes and Dalits in future appointments.
They warned that if their demands are not fulfilled during the next cabinet expansion, they will launch a statewide protest.
The press conference was attended by Siraj Bajpe, Irshad U T, Hanif Khan Kodaje, Salam Uchchil, Saleem Farangipete, Imtiyaz Kedumbadi and other social leaders.