Digvijay Singh snubs zameer over alliance talks

Bengaluru: Congress general secretary, Digvijay Singh reportedly pulled up Janata Dal (Secular) MLA, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan for ‘unnecessarily’ dragging in his name even before talks on the alliance between Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress for Council polls could materialise.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior Congress leader disclosed that Mr Singh reportedly opposed Mr Khan recording their meeting in the BIAL airport lounge, but Mr Khan reportedly convinced to Mr Singh that it was just to give it to Janata Dal (Secular) supremo, H. D. Deve Gowda.

“But in reality, Mr Khan reportedly released the clipping to a TV channel, which ran the visuals,” the source added. Apart from this, Mr Singh also took objection to Mr Khan going to the media even before talks between top leaders of the two parties could reach anywhere.“Mr Kumaraswamy was against the alliance from the word go, which was known to everyone in the Congress, therefore, no senior leader came into the picture. Both parties left it to second rung leaders like Mr Khan to do the groundwork. However, when Mr Khan met Mr Singh at the BIAL lounge, Mr Singh reportedly instructed Mr Khan to ensure Mr Kumaraswamy was on the same page as Mr Gowda on the proposed alliance. If that was not the case, the talks need not take place, he reportedly said. But, an enthusiastic Mr Khan released the clippings much to Mr Singh’s annoyance,” the source said.