Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 18: Wakf minister, Zameer Ahmed Khan, who stated in the Legislative Council when responding to demands by BJP legislators that the government was prepared to order investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the findings recorded in the report submitted by former chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippady, about the misuse and misappropriation of Wakf properties in the state, has now put the government and himself in a fix. Zameer had given this assurance during discussions on budget.

The said report had been rejected by the state government led by Siddaramaiah. Zameer agreed for CBI inquiry into the report in the upper House, but later began claiming that he had never said so. This faux pas might even cost him his berth in the state ministry and become a major point of embarrassment for the Congress. It is perceived that several Congressmen might face problems if the investigation into the report is handed over to CBI. Therefore, several senior leaders of the party are angry at Zameer.

When Zameer said in the Council that the government is prepared to subject Manippady report to CBI investigation, Congress legislator, Abdul Jabbar, and minister, U T Khader, had drawn his attention immediately to the fact that the report is before the High Court and hence it cannot be given for investigation. Immediately thereafter, Zameer said he had only stated that the demand for CBI probe would be scrutinized and that he had not given any concrete assurance. As BJP legislators stood their ground that the minister had given assurance, pro tem chairman of the Council, Basavaraj Horatti, had said he would verify minutes of the council and inform the outcome.

The BJP members, who scrutinized the proceedings, found that Zameer had in fact given a promise to hand the report for CBI inquiry. It is said that they have preserved a copy for future use. In the next session, BJP plans to floor the government on this issue. If the minister refuses to admit what he said, he may have to face breach of privilege motion and hence might even lose his ministerial position. On the other hand, if the standoff aggravates and the government will have to hand over the report to CBI for investigation, several Congress leaders will face problems, it is said.