Karnataka: Rahim Khan To Take North Karnataka Minority Representation Issue To High Command
Khan had served as the Minister of Municipal Administration and Hajj in the Siddaramaiah government: Reports
BIDAR: Senior Congress MLA and former Minister Rahim Khan on Tuesday voiced disappointment over the absence of a Muslim representative from North Karnataka in the newly expanded Karnataka Cabinet, saying the minority community in the region felt let down and that he would take up the issue with the Congress high command.
Khan had served as the Minister of Municipal Administration and Hajj in the Siddaramaiah government.
Though a strong contender, he did not get a chance in DK Shivakumar's cabinet.
Speaking to reporters at Bidar airport, Khan said Muslims across Kalyana Karnataka, Bombay (Kittur) Karnataka and parts of Central Karnataka believed the region had been overlooked despite the Congress enjoying strong support from the minority community.
"There is disappointment among the minority community. Congress has always received overwhelming support from Muslims, but this time the community feels North Karnataka has not received its due. I am pained by this and will discuss the matter with the party high command and give them the details," Rahim Khan said.
He argued that the northern belt, comprising Kalyana Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka and adjoining districts, accounts for nearly 100 Assembly constituencies and deserved representation in the Cabinet through a minority leader.
"There is resentment among the minority community. We are all disappointed. People feel justice has not been done to this region. At least one minority leader should have been given an opportunity. The feeling is that an imbalance has been created. Minority Muslims are like salt in the food,” he said, stressing the importance of the community.
His remarks come a day after the expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet, which has triggered resentment in some parts of the state over the regional and community-wise distribution of ministerial berths.