Kalaburagi: Former minister, Qamarul Islam, who was dropped from the Cabinet by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the recent reshuffle, appears to be playing the minority card to be reinstated and has even hinted at quitting the party should he not get “justice.”
“I have already met the high command and told them about the injustice done to me. They have assured me that things will be set right. But I cannot wait till the next Assembly election to get justice,” he warned, indicating that he could even severe ties with the Congress if he was sidelined.
“From the day he was dropped from the Cabinet, Mr Islam has been arguing that the high command has done injustice to the Muslims of north Karnataka as they have no representation in the ministry now. He has also warned that the Muslims would reconsider supporting the Congress in the coming assembly elections if corrective measures are not taken immediately,” said party sources.
Backing the former minister, the All India Milli Council, a united front of Muslims, which is meeting under his chairmanship to ostensibly deliberate on the current social scenario and the organisation’s responsibilities, is likely to pass a resolution asking the party high command to give him a Cabinet berth again, according to sources.
Besides the chairman of the All India Milli Council, Moulana Hakim Mohammed Abdulla Mugaisi Mirat, several of its office-bearers from different parts of the country are scheduled to attend the meeting.
Admitting that the Milli Council, would discuss the need for giving more representation to the minorities in the state’s council of ministers and his contribution to the welfare of the community as minister, Mr Islam,however claimed that the crucial issue before the Congress was to retain the support of Muslims in the coming elections.
“The party must do some introspection on what needs to be done to get the support of Muslims in the coming elections,” he stressed.
