Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 5: JDS MLA, Zameer Ahmed, who has revolted against his party leadership, has now come up with a challenge for JDS supremo, H D Deve Gowda. He has asked Deve Gowda to prove his oft-repeated claims of love for Muslims, by fielding Muslim candidate for Hassan Lok Sabha constituency during the next election.

He also criticized the party leadership for allotting Rajya Sabha ticket to B M Farooq. "Farooq does not belong to JDS. He got the ticket because of his business association with Kumaraswamy," Zameer stated. Saying that JDS had many persons who had worked hard for the party and therefore were more eligible for the ticket, he wanted the leaders to explain why they chose Farooq over others.

"JDS wanted to woo votes by claiming to have favoured Muslim community by fielding a Muslim candidate. Deve Gowda is acting as if he has love for Muslims. No one can hoodwink me. Let him vacate Hassan seat in favour of Muslim candidate next time," he challenged.

He asserted that five JDS MLAs including him will not vote for the JDS candidate. He said these legislators would together support Congress candidates.