Loyalist Zameer: Always wanted Siddaramaiah to be CM

Bengaluru: A day after, former chief minister, Siddaramaiah made an oblique attack on his detractors saying the ‘jealousy’ of some leaders had prevented him from becoming CM for a second term, his close aide in recent times and food and civil supplies minister, B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan on Sunday added to the confusion remarking that the minority community had always wanted Mr Siddarmaiah to become CM.

He however, quickly clarified that this did not mean  Siddaramaiah was aiming to become CM this term itself.

Mr Khan switched over to the Congress a year prior to the Assembly elections from the JD(S), after his  fallout with his one-time  friend and Chief Minister, H.D. Kumarswamy.  Ever since he changed his loyalty, he has been a big supporter of Mr Siddaramaiah and his leadership which has  irked many in the Congress.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Khan said, "Yes, people especially minorities wanted him to come back as the CM for a second term but he missed it by a whisker.  Minorities liked him for generously dolling out funds to the tune of Rs 3100 crore for them annually. I am sure if he were CM for a second term, he would have enhanced the minority budget to Rs 10,000 crore." 

However, according to him, the coalition government would complete its five year tenure in office though the minorities had wanted Mr Siddaramaiah to be the CM for a second time.

It may be recalled that former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday had said that it was the 'jealousy' of some leaders that turned out to be detrimental to his aspirations in 2018, denying him the CM's post despite having a good chance of being re-elected.   

While participating in a 'Women's Awareness Convention' organised by Karnataka Ahalyabai Holkar Sangha and Pradesha Kurubara Sangha,  Mr Siddaramaiah obliquely stated that there was no ‘medicine for jealousy.’  

Playing the backward community card, he stated that development of members of such communities is not tolerated. "Due to this jealousy, even though there was a chance for me to become CM (after the elections), I was kept away from the post," he said. 

This is the second time after his famous speech in August that he has alleged that he could not get the post after his adversaries 'ganged up' against him in 2018. This had elicited a response from Mr Kumaraswamy following which Siddaramaiah had clarified that he aspired to become CM after the next assembly polls if people blessed him.